In a world obsessed with doing, give yourself permission to rest.
“Rest is not a reward for hard work. It’s the resource that enables great work.”
I see a constant struggle in leaders who identify with being DOERS, ACHIEVERS, PROBLEM SOLVERS and so on… They struggle to take time to rest, reset and think. High-performing leaders often gain energy and self-worth from achieving, fixing, delivering and staying in motion. When they rest, they often feel guilty and even disappointed with themselves for needing a break.
I can really relate to this struggle. If you know the Enneagram, I am a 3. Discovery insights sees me highest in red and blue, which means that I find it easy to be deeply task and achievement focused. While this had its strengths, achievement – especially overachievement – often comes at a horrible personal cost. I’ve journeyed long and hard to learn that rest is not a waste of time but a critical resource and that I have to rest to rise.
Let me share with you how we can shift from constant doing to creating intentional space for thinking and resting, without compromising identity or impact. Here are Key Steps to reframe and reshape your habits to be a truly high-impact leader and…
‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
- Redefine productivity: Thinking is doing.Shift the narrative from “I must always be in action” to “Strategic reflection is high-impact leadership.”Understand that deep thinking, pause and intentional rest are not indulgent, they are essential for creative problem-solving and visionary leadership. Reframe rest as “mental recharging for better results” rather than absence of work.Neuroscience insight: The brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN), which activates during rest, is critical for insight, big-picture thinking and self-awareness.
a - Schedule thinking and rest as critical appointments.Treat time to think as sacred, not optional. Book “white space” in your calendar the same way you’d protect a client session. Try 60-minute focus blocks followed by 15-minute resets. Even 5 to10 minutes of micro quiet reflection can shift your state.Example: “Wednesday 11:30–12:30 = Strategic Vision Hour (no meetings, no devices).”
aa - Watch for the ‘doer identity trap.’Challenge yourself to be honest and ask, “Am I doing this task because it’s important or because it makes me feel useful?” Recognise when doing becomes a way to avoid discomfort, vulnerability or stillness.Top tip: Consider journaling and reflecting, “What would happen if I didn’t finish this task today? What would I fear? What would actually happen?”
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- Integrate micro-rest and mindfulness.Rest doesn’t need to be a week-long retreat. Think micro-recovery: 10 minutes of nature, a breathwork practice or a no-phone lunch. These small resets lower cortisol, enhance focus and increase emotional intelligence – all critical for us to be high-performing leaders.Neuroscience insight: Micro recovery moments, like spending just five minutes in nature, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing cortisol levels and calming the brain’s stress response.
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- Model it for others.When you pause, reflect and display boundaries, you give permission to others to do the same. This fosters a sustainable, learning-oriented culture, not a burnout-prone one. You really can…
‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
