Why Resting - Yes, Resting! - Is Essential For Motivation
When we think of motivation, we often think of the hustle. Waking up ready to get started and reach your dreams, energized enough to crush your goals. It's a magical feeling when that happens, but unfortunately it doesn't come every day. And trying to force that level of constant go-go-go can actually have the opposite effect on your motivation.
Sometimes you need a break, and that's okay! Think of resting as the pit stop to get your car back in shape before you take to the race track again. Think you might need a rest? Here are a few reasons why resting - yes, actually resting - is important for motivation!
Rest Recharges You!
Think of rest as your charger when your energy gets too low. You need to plug into it for a few hours in order to be back to full power and ready to take on the world! We know this about physical rest. You can only go-go-go for so long physically. But it's also true of emotional rest. You can't pour from an empty cup, but taking breaks to do something restful - reading a book or watching a favorite movie, taking a trip or even a staycation - can help to fill that cup right back up. That's why after a rest, you feel more ready than ever to go after your goals!
Rest Makes You More Productive
When you're well-rested, you're able to be more productive. You're more alert and focused, and more motivated to get to work. A little break can be as helpful as your morning coffee when it comes to starting your productivity engine! And research has actually shown that working in short bursts is more natural and healthier for us.
One perfect example of this is the Pomodoro Method. This time-management strategy utilizes 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5 minute break. After 4 Pomodoro sessions, you take a longer break. This keeps you from feeling too overwhelmed. A day full of work might feel overwhelming, but you can always handle 25 minutes!
Rest Inspires You
Sometimes it's while you're not working that you find the most inspiration. Maybe on a night out with friends, you're suddenly struck with the perfect idea or watching your favorite movie reminds you of the kind of stories you want to tell. Inspiration is all around you, but if you only focus on one part of your life, you might be putting up blinders that keeps you from seeing it.
Rest Is Inevitable
The truth is that you're going to have to rest at some point, whether you like it or not. Our culture tends to glorify the hustle, the sleepless nights and the guzzled morning coffees in order to reach your goals. While this might seem exciting on the outset, you can only do that for so long. Without rest, you'll be going nowhere but Burnout Station.
The less you rest, the more exhausting you'll find your work. You'll come to resent it, and eventually, you're going to crash hard. On the other hand, if you take time to refresh yourself, you'll approach your goals with gusto and energy that most "hustle culture" gurus can only dream of!
At Motivation Depot, we're here to cheer you on while you chase your goals! But we also know how important it is to get some rest in that pursuit. For more motivational insights, check out the rest of our blog!
