Remember, rest is part of your job. What we have learnt from top leaders is their ability to toggle between stress & rest to reach awesomeness.
As ambitious professionals, we often push ourselves to the limit, believing that constant hustle is the key to success. But let me tell you a secret: there's a formula for achieving true awesomeness, and it involves a balance between stress and rest.
LEADERS KNOW THE ALWAYS-ON SWITCH ALL TOO WELL. YET, FINDING THE OFF SWITCH BECOMES A MAJOR STRUGGLE.
This is the Achilles heel of dominant Type-A personality types, the over-achieving adrenaline-junkie workaholics: WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO STOP. The idea of stress as a problem doesn't really resonate with us. Instead, we boast about how much stress we have at work!
True, stress, in moderation, can be a powerful motivator. However, this powerful engine for performance has a limit. When stress becomes overwhelming or chronic, positive stress (eustress) tips into negative stress (distress). Our most childish behaviours emerge. We say things that we'll want to take back later. We do things that we'll regret.
This is where the magic of rest comes in. Rest is not a sign of weakness; it's a strategic tool that allows us to recharge, rejuvenate, and come back stronger. When we give ourselves permission to rest, we create space for creativity, clarity, and renewed energy.
So, strike the perfect balance between stress and rest. Pursue rest and recovery with the same intensity you dedicate to your work. Rest IS work. Here are a few suggestions:
1️⃣ Quality sleep: Ruthlessly guard your 8-hour window of opportunity for sleep. After all, sleep is a weapon.
2️⃣ Plan for rest: Intentionally schedule regular breaks and vacations. Enjoy your lunch, don't eat at your desk. When stress hits particularly hard, put on your favourite tunes and have an impromptu dance party at your desk!
3️⃣ Set boundaries: Put on your cutest Grogu impersonation and say "no" to tasks that don't align with your priorities.
4️⃣ Prioritise self-care: Engage in activities that spark joy for you, and complete your stress cycles daily, whether it's floral arrangement, Krav Maga, spending time in nature, or simply unplugging from technology.
5️⃣ Foster a supportive culture: If you're in a leadership role, create a culture that values work-life balance and well-being. Encourage your team members to prioritise rest and lead by example.
Remember, awesomeness isn't just about achieving success—it's about sustaining it over the long haul. When you can strike the right balance of stress + rest, you'll become happier, healthier, smarter, and, naturally, more productive at work! 💪✨
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PERSONNA is a leadership development company specialising in Leadership Branding. We are here to support ambitious leaders and teams in Asia to scale their impact at work without burning out. We provide leadership branding, leadership coaching and group experiences. Personna has been developing leaders since 2010.
If you are curious to learn more drop us an email at hello@personna.me.