This is the one thing you secretly fear most, but shouldn’t.
Spooky Season is upon us.
That means all manner of ghosts, goblins, and creatures of the night are coming out to play. 👻
I love this time of year because (beyond Pumpkin Spice flavored everything 🎃) it makes me think of what we all deal with in our own way…
Fear.
F is for “Fear”
Simply put, Fear is an unpleasant response to a threat.
Some people feel fear in response to distinct objects (blood) , animals (spiders), or things (clowns).
Some people feel fear in response to situations (high places).
Some people feel fear in response to experiences (public speaking).
But there’s one thing I find that more and more creative professionals struggle with every day that isn’t trying to hurt you at all.
High-performing, go-getting creatives fear Rest.
Why?
It’s the fear that we're not allowed to stop moving.
We always "need" to be fighting the good fight.
We always "need" to be doing the work.
We always "need" to be the best versions of ourselves.
There is no stopping.
There is no pause.
There is only forward progress.
Sometimes it’s ok to make a push when there’s an impending deadline.
But as in all things, the push requires an equal an opposite reaction—rest.
This past weekend I dealt with the fear of resting head on…
M is for “Mental Health”
On Mondays, you’ll typically find me getting after the week.
But instead, I took this recent Monday off.
Let's call it a "mental health" day.
Over the weekend, I pushed to complete a critical task.
It was multi-step.
It was time-consuming.
It was important.
It was something I couldn't get to this week.
It was something that just needed to get done.
As a Project Manager, it's my job to make sure we meet critical deadlines.The rest of the team was counting on me on this one and I needed to come through.
Even when I plan out my schedule meticulously, I can't always account for the unforeseen. I just know it will happen from time to time and that I need to adjust.
After a surprisingly hectic week, I simply ran out of time.
But the mission critical task remained.
So I pushed through the weekend, finished the task, and gave myself Monday off.
B is for “Balance”
Fortunately, I don't have too many of these kinds of weekends. But every now and again, I need to really buckle down and push the extra mile.
When that happens though, I now have no issue by compensating with rest. I don’t fear the rest because it’s the quickest way to being ME again.
Fear of resting comes from feeling inadequate or less than.
We feel as though resting will make us look weak.
We feel as though rest is the antithesis of productivity.
But the simple truth is that rest IS productive.
I've learned how to balance my time as the years go by.
If I went to work on Monday, I could have made it through. But I needed mental rest.
The brain battery was on low and I needed a recharge; I needed a break.
After a mild-mannered day of relaxation, exercise, and writing, I knew I’d be ready to face the week again. Here's to saying "Yes" to rest when we need it.
Just like when you have to put on your oxygen mask first before you help others around you on a plane, rest helps us get back to a place where we can be of service again.
How to Face the Fear of Rest
Be clear with those you work with — When I took Monday off, I didn’t just disappear. I let my team know what was happening. I let them know when to expect me back. I gave them instructions for what to do while I was out.
Think of the alternative — Imagine two futures: one where you rest and one where you press on after a push. You’ve likely experienced both already. Which scenario do you feel your best under? Are you able to function at 100% when you press on without rest? Visualizing the difference is a healthy motivator for to know when we need a break.
There will always be more work — A friend once told me “There will always be more work.” It doesn’t matter how good you are at your job or how many deadlines you crush. The work will always be there. If that’s the case, why would you fear resting? Regardless of when you come back, the work will be there. Don’t let it scare you.
TL; DR
Fear = an unpleasant response to a threat
High-performers fear Rest because it isn’t “productive”
Creative sprints are ok, but rest must always follow.
Rest will bring balance back to the chaos.
There will always be more work.
Here’s to putting your mask on first.
Happy Halloween. 🦇
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Until next week, here are links to the treasures I’ve found out in the creative wilderness.
Enjoy!
Recent Finds
Sahil Bloom — On the last Friday of every month, I do a self check-in. (LinkedIn) | This is a great breakdown of Sahil’s process for checking in with his goals, habits, and personal growth. It’s a simple, but powerful way to ensure that we’re making the progress we want in our lives. If you want more control over your own progress, this is a good place to start.
Ryan Holiday — Do the Hard Things First (Short) | Ryan hits on what I believe to be a core value for building a fulfilling life. If you tackle the most difficult thing first, you’re sure to make a dent on it. You make progress and create momentum for everything else in your day after it as well. While some people operate better at night, this is one of the reasons to look at prioritizing at least one challenge before your day gets away from you.
Elyse Myers — Rest is Productive (Reel) | Elyse is a hilarious and insightful creator I’ve been following recently. Self worth should not be tied to how busy we are. This is such an important message for everyone to hear. It’s also one of the reasons I wanted to talk about rest today.
Quote of the Week
“ ‘That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it’ is a self-limiting way to live. People who never let go of their views never evolve. Growth is not just about embracing new ideas. It’s about rethinking old ones. Refusing to change your mind is a decision to stop learning.”
— Adam Grant
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
