Resting your way to meaningful work

We've all been there. The work feels…well, just bland. It's not quite enough challenge, not quite enough purpose. We're like Goldilocks in our jobs: today it’s too much responsibility. Tomorrow it isn’t stimulating enough. The next day it’s perfect but we are still curiously unfulfilled.

My usual reaction? To change something about work. Seek fresh responsibilities, a new project, or a different company. But lately, a question has been nagging at me: what if the problem isn't the work itself? What if the missing ingredient is something much more fundamental - rest?

This might sound counterintuitive. Shouldn't we be pushing harder, striving for constant improvement? But recent learnings have convinced me that true, restorative rest might be the key to unlocking both energy and meaning in my work.

In his book "Effortless," Greg McKeown lays down a powerful truth: "Do not do more today than you can completely recover from today. Do not do more this week than you can completely recover from this week." It's a simple statement, but profoundly impactful. We can't pour from an empty cup.

John Mark Comer, in "Garden City," expands on this by framing rest as an act of acceptance. It's a chance to acknowledge our limitations, to celebrate our need for recovery, and ultimately, to rely on something greater than ourselves. Rest becomes a spiritual act, a way to find strength and perspective.

Here's the crucial part: true rest isn't just about zoning out. As Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi points out in "Flow," mind-numbing distractions often leave us feeling worse, not better. Instead, we need rest that replenishes our energy and fuels creativity. Ruth Haley Barton's words, in "Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest," resonate deeply here: "rest that turns into delight, delight that turns into gratitude, and gratitude that turns into worship."

So, how do we cultivate this kind of meaningful rest? My toolbox for the journey ahead includes a few key practices:

• Taming my tech addiction: My phone will become a scheduled guest, not a constant companion. Dedicated blocks of time will replace the endless pings and notifications that steal my focus and interrupt valuable rest periods.
• Daily dose of solitude: Each day, I'll carve out an hour for quiet reflection. This sacred space will be dedicated to prayer, reading, and practicing gratitude. Additionally, 30 minutes will be devoted to a truly engaging hobby, something that sparks joy and challenges my mind – writing this very newsletter is a great place to start!
• Sabbath reset: Every week, I'll dedicate one entire day to stepping away from the "shoulds" and the "have-tos." No non-essential work, no technology, no shopping, just pure "being" with loved ones and connecting with the divine. This will require planning and forethought, but the potential for renewal is immense.
• Yearly solo escape: Once a year, I'll embark on a two-night solo adventure. Think a quiet cabin or a camping trip with a journal for company. This extended period of solitude will allow for deep reflection and a true reset button on the soul.

The invitation I extend to you is simple: how do you rest? What activities truly replenish your energy and leave you feeling recharged and ready to tackle meaningful work? Let's explore together how rest can become the missing key to unlocking passion and purpose in our professional lives. Remember, a well-rested you is a far more effective you, and ultimately, a far happier you as well.

Thanks for reading! If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the subject, you can subscribe to a podcast I’m doing with my good friend Stephen by clicking the link below. Each week we break down one of my newsletters and go deeper on the topic. We’d love to have you join the conversation.

The Identity Work Podcast