Holiday special: On taking breaks, feeling the down times, and looking forward.

This week is right smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. ?It is a time for friends, family and even some introspection. ?With the New Year soon upon us, the review and resolutions appear. ?This is my take on that will some specific ideas in mind. ?

In retrospect, 2023 stands out as a transformative year for me. I navigated through a whirlwind of experiences – taking on a new job, rekindling connections with old friends, rediscovering the joy of biking, engaging in extensive self-reflection, and delving deeper into the facets that define my identity.

Amidst this kaleidoscope of events, three pivotal aspects emerged as the pillars of my journey – taking breaks, acknowledging the down times, and fostering a forward-looking mindset. These components have become intrinsic to my approach to life, offering guidance through the various ups and downs.

Taking breaks holds immense value, yielding three significant benefits that contribute to our overall well-being and productivity. Firstly, breaks play a crucial role in sustaining harmonious passion. By stepping away from our tasks periodically, we prevent the onset of boredom, overburdening, and burnout. This intentional pause allows us to return to our activities with renewed vigor and enthusiasm, maintaining a healthy and sustainable level of engagement.

Secondly, breaks serve as catalysts for unlocking fresh ideas. The moments of respite provide the mind with the space to relax and wander, fostering creativity. This mental freedom during breaks has been linked to a surge in innovative thinking, as it allows the brain to make unexpected connections and approach problems from new perspectives. Consequently, the brief intermissions not only rejuvenate the mind but also infuse our work with a renewed sense of inspiration and ingenuity.

Moreover, the impact of breaks extends to the realm of learning. Research demonstrates that taking a 10-minute break after a learning session can significantly enhance recall, improving students' retention by 10 to 30%. These pauses in the learning process allow the brain to consolidate information and optimize memory formation. In essence, breaks not only provide essential rest for our minds and bodies but also act as powerful tools to boost creativity and limit the degradation of passion, ensuring sustained and effective engagement in our endeavors.

Recognizing and embracing the importance of really feeling the down times is a crucial aspect of maintaining overall well-being. There are moments when taking a break is not just about physical fatigue but also about acknowledging low mental and emotional states. It’s OK to take a mental health day! ?It can be really tempting to try and avoid these periods, attempting to shake off the discomfort as quickly as possible. However, I propose a more measured approach—one that advocates for allowing ourselves the necessary time to sit with and understand these emotions.

In the past years, a phenomenon known as toxic positivity popped up, wherein any deviation from constant happiness is stigmatized as negativity. This societal pressure often compels individuals to remove all perceived negative elements from their lives, driven by a belief that perpetual positivity is the ultimate goal. However, it's essential to dispel this notion and recognize the inherent fallacy in attempting to eliminate all negative experiences. Resistance is futile. ?We all have bad moments and bad days. The truth is, by fully experiencing and understanding the down times, we pave the way for genuine personal growth and resilience.

Here's a little secret: you can't, and arguably, you shouldn't eliminate every negative aspect from your life. Life is a tapestry woven with a variety of experiences, both positive and negative. By allowing ourselves the grace to feel the down times, we open doors to self-discovery, compassion, and a more profound understanding of our own resilience. These moments of introspection and acknowledgement become the foundation upon which we build our emotional fortitude, fostering a more authentic and sustainable sense of well-being.

Now that we’ve looked back and inward, better understanding who we are and what we feel, we can look ahead with confidence. ?Let’s try to tie this together with some practical advice… ?

Adam Grant in his book Hidden Potential said: "Of all the factors that I’ve been studied, the strongest known force in daily motivation is a sense of progress." These words underscore the undeniable power of progress, seeing that things are moving, as the driving force behind our daily motivations. Building a forward-looking mindset is intricately tied to this sense of continual advancement. ?If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic and are like me, you would rather be moving on a road that is actually longer than just waiting. ?Progress is a powerful motivator.

As we make progress, taking breaks, particularly when redirected towards endeavors that spark progress, helps drive us forward even more. It's not merely about the pause or the diversion but the tangible strides made during these respites. Research supports that immersing ourselves in a different task will ultimately help to achieve measurable progress in different domains. This is another way of saying “slow down to speed up”. ?Putting ourselves in a completely different context and letting the brain wander (This can not be overstated) lets us absorb and make connections.

Understanding the past, has a crucial role. Learning from mistakes, reflecting on choices, and, at times, wrestling with regrets forms the bedrock of wisdom. Yes, you are allowed to regret choices. ?I personally don’t believe in the whole “No regrets” philosophy. ?There are things I regret that I have learned immensely from. ?Far from being things that weigh me down, they have given me new ways to achieve flight. ?

After all that, I like to reflect on the next steps. ?What are the things that will help me achieve the progress towards my goals? Taking the time to write it all down is extremely helpful. ?It makes tangible all the thoughts, ideas and dreams. ?What are your next steps? ?What do you want to achieve? ?What are the smaller steps and support you need to get there, no matter how quickly? ?

I hope this helped you think about the past and the future while being fully present. ?And, remember we aren’t perfect. ?We’re people, and People Power Everything.

Have a great day and week or even year ahead. ?You deserve it and can make it happen! ?

John

PS: If you like these, feel free to forward and encourage your friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, leaders, staff, and even mortal enemies to subscribe to the People Power Everything Podcast (Version Francophone ) which has bonus material from time to time. ?You can also reach out to me at [email protected]