I Give You Permission To Do Nothing
Rob Cressy
AI Coach For High Performing Leaders | Creates From The Heart | Follow Me For The Best AI Content On LinkedIn
Is it possible to do nothing and still grow?
Yes.
I'll tell you how based on my post-Marathon experience.
In the days immediately following running the Pittsburgh Marathon I was Hurtin' Hank. On day one I could barely walk down one step (yes, one single step). When I did I made a grunt similar to that of Cavemen.
I pretty much needed a spotter to go to the get up and down from the bathroom (which made me chuckle at the time due to the absurdity of it).
It was the most well earned pain ever.
As each subsequent day went by, I regained a little more of my mobility, and a little bit of the pain went away.
By Friday I felt good (and I could go to the bathroom by myself ??).
While all this is going on something else was on my mind: the Half Marathon I am running exactly two weeks after my marathon.
It is called Driveway to Hell and it's an UPHILL marathon that guarantees to be the hardest half marathon in existence.
(Note: this is an experience as part of The Calendar Club lead by Jesse Itzler that I am member of - I voluntarily chose to do this, though I had no control over the date of it ?? ).
So while all my Marathon aches and pains are happening, my vision is looking forward towards this next race. I want to make sure that my body is healed and able, that way I can create another memorable experience.
While taking two weeks off may seem easy, it is not for me as I live an active lifestyle and am dedicated to keeping both my body and mind in shape.
Even just two days after the Marathon I was already thinking about if I could get a short run in (more for my mind than anything).
And here is where the lesson is.
I gave myself one week to REST and recover. I did so in the name of GROWTH.
Because sometimes you need to SLOW DOWN and DO NOTHING to CREATE MOMENTUM and GET BETTER.
It's a paradox and contrarian to the way we are wired to think.
But here's where an important and subtle distinction comes in.
The difference between REST and INACTION.
REST is intentional and designed for growth.
INACTION is unintentional and not designed for anything.
High performers know that REST is necessary for them to achieve their goals. They also know that INACTION is an enemy of greatness.
I encourage you to think about where you are designing REST into your life. Maybe it's with health & fitness, or sleep, or not going Turbo all the time at work or on social media. Give yourself permission to recharge.
I also encourage you to think about where INACTION is living in your life. Are you living holistically and filling up all of the buckets of your life? Just because you are really good at work doesn't mean that the other areas of your life can be neglected. Figure out where those areas are then commit to taking one action. That'll get momentum started.
I'm happy to say that this morning I went for a 3 mile run, my first since the marathon.
I took it nice and easy just to see how it feels.
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Book Note about Rest & Rejuvenation
See, I'm not crazy.
Give yourself the gift of REST and when you do, REST HARD. Go all-in and enjoy it. By knowing that it is actually making you better, you can start to become proactive with it and DESIGN IT into your routine.
One area where I do this is with social media. I have a rule where I turn my phone off at 9 pm. I do this to prime myself for a good night of sleep and to shut off the world. The extra space this gives me (and my mind) allows me to visualize my future and put me in a position to succeed for the next day.
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