PODCAST: WHY REST IS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUPERPOWER
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WHY RESTING MORE HELPS YOU ACHIEVE MORE IN BUSINESS + LIFE
A few years ago, I was training for a half marathon with one goal: run my personal best time. And in my mind, that meant one thing—no stopping. If I could just keep running, avoid walking breaks, and push through the pain, I’d get to the finish line faster.
Sounds logical, right? Keep moving, and you’ll reach your goal more quickly.
But every time I tried, I hit a wall. My legs felt heavier, my pace slowed, and I struggled to finish strong. No matter how hard I trained, I just couldn’t break through my time barrier.
That’s when I tried something different. Instead of running straight through, I decided to build walking breaks into my race strategy. Every time I reached a water station, I took a few seconds to slow down, grab some water, and reset.
And guess what? I ran my fastest race ever.
That experience completely shifted how I think about productivity – not just in running, but in business and life.
We often believe that if we work harder, hustle longer, and push through exhaustion, we’ll reach our goals faster. But in reality, burnout slows us down.
Rest isn’t just something we earn when we’ve crossed the finish line. It’s what fuels us to get there.
Resting As a Strategy, Not a Reward
Most of us treat rest like a luxury, something we allow ourselves only after we’ve checked off every item on our to-do list. But what if we flipped that mindset? What if we saw rest as a key part of our strategy for success?
Just like those short walking breaks helped me run my fastest race, intentional rest can actually make you more productive, creative, and focused.
Think about it:
Some of your best ideas come when you’re in the shower or on a walk, not when you’re glued to your laptop.
You perform better after a good night’s sleep than after pulling an all-nighter.
Taking a break from a tough problem often leads to the breakthrough you were searching for.
The science backs this up. Studies show that stepping away from work allows your brain to process information more effectively, leading to greater innovation and problem-solving skills.
Creating a Rhythm of Rest
Instead of packing your schedule from morning to night, consider building rhythms into your day. Just like a well-paced runner knows when to push and when to pull back, you can structure your work with intentional breaks to keep your energy high.
Try this:
Start your day with intention. Before diving into work, take time to center yourself—whether that’s through a morning routine, a workout, or quiet time.
Time-block your tasks. Work in focused sprints (like 90-minute sessions), followed by short breaks to refresh your mind.
Embrace rest without guilt. Recognize that rest isn’t “wasting time”—it’s refueling you to do your best work.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or constantly exhausted, maybe the answer isn’t to push harder. Maybe it’s to pause, reset, and come back stronger.
Rest isn’t stealing from your success. It’s strengthening it.
So take that break. Step away for a moment. Give yourself the space to breathe.
You might just find that it’s exactly what you needed to reach your personal best.
Feeling overwhelmed and stuck in the cycle of always doing but never progressing? The key to real productivity isn’t working harder – it’s working smarter.
Inside Beyond Busyness™, you'll learn how to structure your time, embrace strategic rest, and create a rhythm that fuels your success… without burnout.
Ready to get more done without doing more? Join Beyond Busyness™ today!
Important Links:
Follow Kristen on Instagram: @kristenvanhorn_
Learn more about the Beyond Busyness program: HERE
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