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- All Aboard - Rest!
Hey everyone, and welcome back to another weekly edition of the All Aboard Newsletter!
This week we’re talking about a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Its REST!
Other agents like to give me a hard time because “Andrew is always napping” or “Andrew is always vacationing” and while its all in good fun, I couldn’t recommend taking a break more.
As a leader or entrepreneur, work doesn’t stop at 5pm. Its endless! We’re constantly thinking about work, putting in extra/weird hours, and more. So, if we never actually take any rest, we get burned out, lash out, and ultimately have a bad time.
In fact, as you read this, I’m currently on vacation!
I’ve pre-recorded this message while I’m away in Japan and I wanted to share some thoughts with you on how and why taking time to rest is critical for your business, your health, and your happiness.
Let’s dive in!
When to Rest!
If the embedded link doesn’t work, you can access the video here: Click Me
For the best experience and most information, I highly suggest you click the video!
Why Rest Matters
Forget all the nonsense out there that says you should grind non-stop.
To be frank, thats hustle culture bullshit. Something that I call “Motivation Porn.” There is a time and place for that type of content, and it can help serve us to get us moving, but it can also be toxic.
Rest is essential for growth.
If you work out or study, you’re not getting growth during the workout or the studying. The growth happens at rest. And while most of us know this, we find ourselves grinding and grinding away at work.
It’s easy to get caught up in hustle culture, where the goal is always more—more work, more effort, more time spent working on climbing that next mountain.
But here’s the thing: hustle culture can be harmful if it takes away from time with family, hobbies, or your health (both physical and mental).
While it can be motivating to hear advice like "do what others won’t," it’s important to recognize that there’s a limit to how much we can push ourselves. Our brains, just like our bodies, need recovery time. Whether it’s taking a walk, a nap, or a vacation, allowing your mind to rest can lead to your best ideas and innovations.
So, while hustle culture isn’t all bad, it becomes a problem when it starts taking away from what matters most.
The Downside of Hustle Culture
When people are on their death bed, how often do they say:
“You know, I wish I would have put more time and effort in at work?”
Pretty much never. Its always about spending more time with their loved ones, or doing the things that they wanted to do.
These tales can be cautionary and can illuminate to some of the issues with hustle culture such as":
Neglecting Family Time: I've seen people who’ve built successful businesses but ended up with strained relationships with their kids. You can’t get back lost time, and the regret is real. It’s important to remember that no job or business is worth sacrificing relationships with your loved ones.
Forgetting About Hobbies: If work is your only focus, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are outside of your job. Having hobbies or passions that aren’t work-related makes you a more well-rounded person. It was being at home during the COVID years that helped me reconnect with my interests—and now I have too many to keep up with!
Health Sacrifices: Stress, lack of sleep, and poor eating habits are common side effects of too much work and not enough rest. But no business is worth damaging your health. If you’re not taking care of yourself, what’s the point? Health is wealth baby!
Pressure on Your Team: As a leader, your team watches you. If you’re never resting or taking time off, they may feel guilty doing the same. Leaders set the tone, and that includes the importance of rest.
Busy vs. Productive: There’s a big difference between being busy and doing important work. If you’re mentally drained, you won’t be able to focus on the tasks that truly matter. I know when I’m tired, I avoid the hard important thing and instead find myself drifting to the easy tasks that don’t move the needle.
Signs You Might Be Burned Out
Burnout is a real thing. Here are some key signs that you might need to take a break:
Short Temper or Emotional Outbursts: If you find yourself lashing out at people or feeling overly negative, it’s a sign that rest is needed. Overreact to something trivial? There’s your sign!
Lack of Focus: If you can’t focus on a single task for any length of time, it might be because you’re mentally exhausted. Yes, its true that we’ve busted up our attention spans with scrolling and social media, but if you find yourself on vacation for a few days, notice how much easier it is to focus?
Procrastination: If you’re avoiding important tasks or procrastinating on things you know you need to do, it might be time for some mental recovery. Doing hard things is hard, and if you don’t have the mental capacity to face those hard things, you’re going to procrastinate.
Constant Fatigue: If you feel tired all the time, even after a good night’s sleep, it could be a sign that what you’re doing isn’t enjoyable. Whether thats because it will never be enjoyable, or you just need a break, pay attention.
Guilt for Doing Nothing: If you’re feeling guilty about not being productive but also lack the energy to do anything, your body is telling you it’s time to rest. This is something I struggle with personally!
This week’s edition of All Aboard is brought to you by:
Name of Sponsor
People follow the leader. If you don’t rest, your team is going to feel like THEY can’t rest.
Want to be a better leader? Check out the Conviction of A Leader Podcast
Beau Vincent’s Conviction of A Leader Podcast is a podcast about the intersection of leadership, entrepreneurship, and being a good person.
On the show, Beau has deep conversations with both Insurance Agency owners, and entrepreneurs outside the industry.
Whether you’re an experienced leader, or brand new, there are lessons to be learned.
I was on his Podcast last year, and will be joining him again here in the near future. If you want to hear my episode, here it is: Click Me
Check out Beau’s Podcast here:
The Stress Curve: Recognize When You’re Overworking
I came across a graphic recently that I really liked—it’s called the Stress Curve.
Its a natural progression. You go on vacation, and get some rest, then you get back, and you’re chill. You’ve recovered, you’re not bothered, and you’re doing some of your best work. But there’s a point where things start to feel harder, then we become anxious, and eventually, we hit a breakdown. The key is to recognize that rest is essential before reaching that point.
I had a meltdown just the other day over something seemingly insignificant. A complete overreaction to a NOTHING issue.
When that happens, you know its time!
How I Rest and Recover
So what makes me feel rested? It doesn’t always need to be vacation, time off, or some luxurious travel. It can be day-to-day self-care, short weekend trips/activities, or trying something new day to day.
Here are some things that work for me to stay refreshed and avoid burnout:
Always Have a Goal Post: I plan vacations ahead of time. For example, I’m in Japan now, and my next trip is to Poland this summer with my dad. Knowing that I have something to look forward to gives me a clear finish line to spring towards.
Reward Myself: I used to save as much as humanly possible and would feel guilty if I splurged on something for myself. Now? I take a small part of every paycheck and set it aside for a slush fund that I can reward myself from guilt free. Whether it’s a travel experience or something I’ve been wanting, that money is put aside for when I’m feeling like I need something special for myself.
Travel to New Countries: I try to explore at least two to three new countries every year. Seeing the world helps broaden my perspective and gives me the mental space to think outside the box. New things, new experience, and new people are energizing to me!
Weekly Lunch Dates with My Wife: Work schedules can be heavy, and it can take away from the time with the people that are most important to me. Going to lunch with my wife every week is a time for us to chill, chat about whatever, and have a fun experience together when we’re not exhausted post-work.
The Lion Approach: Work Hard, Rest Hard
I do my best to work like a lion.
A lion spends most of its day resting but when it’s time to hunt, it sprints hard and fast. That’s how I try to structure my life—work hard when it’s time to, but also rest when I need it.
Sprint, Rest, Repeat.
The bottom line is that you can’t run your business, your team, or your life effectively if you don’t take rest when you need it. You’re going to burn out.
Your health, your family, and your happiness matter more than any hustle culture trend. So if you’re feeling burned out, it’s time to recharge.
People who are burned out, lash out.
Take some rest. Plan your next break. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Until next week, Cheers!
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