Rest as a Strategy: How Stepping Back Leads to Big Ideas
woman drinking coffee and reading a book
I’ve always prided myself on optimizing productivity. My Sunday mornings were often spent drafting a to-do list, organizing tasks, and aligning them with my long-term goals—whether in my career, health or as a parent. Each action was strategically aimed at making incremental progress toward the result. But in 2025, I’ve made a deliberate choice to shift gears.
Over the holidays, I read The Courage to Be Disliked, a thought-provoking book grounded in Adlerian psychology. While the format—structured as a dialogue between a student and a teacher—felt somewhat artificial at times, its insights were profound and transformative. The book pushed me to reconsider how I’ve traditionally approached success and productivity and how I shape my personal and professional growth.
It challenged the notion that constantly striving for approval or chasing external markers of success is the path to fulfillment. One of the most impactful lessons I took from the book was staying fully present and treating each day as a gift that should be embraced rather than rushed through. This shift in perspective encouraged me to let go of the constant pressure to achieve and instead focus on enjoying life, appreciating each moment, and recognizing that genuine growth comes from within, not from external validation. This new outlook is not only reshaping how I view my work but also how I approach relationships and personal well-being.
This shift in perspective led me to realize that rest is not a luxury—it’s a vital necessity. In a world where productivity is often glorified, and burnout is seen as a badge of honor, it’s easy to forget the importance of rest. As Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post and author of The Sleep Revolution, wisely put it, “We are living in a time when burnout is being glorified as the ultimate badge of honor… But that only happens when we don't recognize that rest is essential to work.”
Rest isn’t about avoiding work; it’s about creating the space to recharge, refresh, and return with a clearer, more creative mind. When we neglect rest, we sacrifice the very thing that makes our work impactful—our ability to innovate.
The Impact of Rest Across Every Aspect of My Life
We constantly have to manage tight deadlines, complex challenges, and the need to innovate. Yet, when we’re always on the grind, our minds become cluttered, our creativity is stifled, and we become less effective at delivering breakthrough solutions.
But this need for rest isn’t confined to my professional life—it also extends to my personal life. As a parent, I’ve realized that being constantly on the go, managing my child's needs and schedule, and keeping up with the daily demands can significantly affect my ability to be fully present.
Over the years, I’ve found that taking intentional breaks—whether allowing myself time to unwind after a long week or having quiet moments away—helps me recharge and ultimately show up as a better parent. Without rest, I’m not the kind of parent I want to be: patient, present, and engaged.
In those moments when we step away—whether on a walk, in the shower, or, in my case, reorganizing a small part of my house—our best ideas often emerge. Think about the “Aha!” moments when we’re not actively trying to solve a problem. This power of rest allows our minds to process, connect the dots, and generate insights we might have missed while working nonstop.
As Albert Einstein famously said, “Creativity is the residue of time wasted.” These “wasted” moments, when we allow ourselves to pause, are vital to the creative process. By stepping back, we’re investing in creativity—a long-term strategy that fuels innovation, improves decision-making and enhances the quality of our design work. This is true in both the professional and personal realms.
Making Rest Part of Your Productivity Strategy
In a world that values constant action and hustle, it can be challenging to prioritize rest. But integrating rest into our routines isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Here are five practical ways to incorporate rest into your productivity strategy:
Embrace breaks as part of the process.
Taking breaks isn’t laziness; it’s an integral part of the creative process. Whether it’s a quick fifteen-minute coffee with my husband, an episode of a TV show with my daughter, or 20 minutes to sketch during a break between meetings, these moments allow me to step away and reset. Pausing gives my brain the space to refresh and process, leading to renewed energy and fresh ideas when I return to work.
Quality over quantity.
Rather than trying to do everything, focusing on just 1-2 big things each day helps move the needle on what truly matters. Whether carving out time for meaningful family interactions or dedicating uninterrupted hours to strategic thinking at work, I’ve found that simplifying my to-do list leads to better quality and greater satisfaction. Letting go of the need to accomplish everything allows me to devote my energy to fewer, high-impact priorities, ensuring meaningful progress personally and professionally.
Follow your energy cycle and communicate it with those around you.
Aligning your work with your circadian rhythm can enhance productivity even within a corporate schedule. Focus on high-priority tasks during peak energy times, typically in the morning, and save lighter tasks for afternoon lulls. I use my lunch break to recharge with activities like stretching or fresh air and communicate my optimal working hours with my team. By respecting these rhythms, I make the most of my energy, leading to better results without burnout.Prioritize recovery as part of your routine.
Building recovery into your schedule is key to sustaining high performance across all spheres of your life. On demanding days, I block off time after dinner or early in the morning when my brain is fresher to get work done. I also schedule regular breaks to reflect and recharge, especially after intense meetings. These moments for self-care help me maintain mental clarity and physical energy, preventing burnout and allowing me to return to all areas of life with renewed focus and creativity. Rest is not a luxury—it’s an investment in long-term success and personal growth.Lead by example.
Modeling the importance of rest is crucial for both my team and family. When prioritizing self-care and downtime, I set the tone for others to do the same. Whether leading a team or a family, a well-rested individual is more motivated, productive, and creative. By leading with this mindset, I encourage those around me to adopt healthy work-life practices, creating a more balanced and effective environment for everyone.
Rest as an Investment in Long-Term Success
In reality, we need to rethink how we view rest in terms of productivity. It’s not about doing less—it’s about being strategic with our energy and ensuring we have the space to do meaningful work. Rest allows our minds to reset, refocus, and come back stronger. In the long run, this intentional pause fosters creativity, drives innovation, and leads to success.
In 2025, I’m embracing the challenge of doing less. I encourage you to do the same. Let’s prioritize rest as a strategy for growth and productivity—whether in our careers, health or as parents. It might just be the secret ingredient we need to achieve more—without burning out in the process.
