Tributum Newsletter #69

Hello

According to fictional spymaster Jason Bourne “Rest is a weapon” (in the books, unfortunately not the movies) because he never knew when he would get the next opportunity to rest and also that you need to be rested to operate at optimal capacity. Is December shut down the only time we rest, we try and catch our breath? Is it really rest to gear up for the next battle, or is it just to recuperate from the Novemberitis and you still start the new year tired? How many of us actively use rest as a weapon? How often do we even just rest?

In sport it’s called de-loading (stay on track people…). It’s a planned “back off “period that reduces training to prevent injury and to prepare the body and mind for the next phase of more intense training or competition. Ask anyone that has done Ironman or Comrades – you taper down training closer to the race so you can be ready on race day. If sport stars de-load to prevent injuries and prepare for the next big thing – should us worker bees not apply the same principles in our working lives.

It is not sustainable to go 50-to-60-hour (or even more) work weeks for 48 to 50 weeks of the year. Why work yourself to death for 6 months to take a 2-weak (not a typo…figuratively meaning useless) break? And don’t fool yourself – you know it. You feel it – in your bones. Your mind tells you. Those around you tell you. De-load. Take more regular, smaller breaks during the 6 months – plus the 2-week (now no longer so useless) break. Here is a novel idea – actually take your lunch. Not to check email or fit in another meeting – go for a walk, go for a coffee, just don’t work for that period of the day…de-load.

And yes, de-loading requires elimination. Something or someone must move out of your diary and off your to do list so that your de-loading can be scheduled. Athletes and trainers plan de-loading periods – so should you. And to quote from “Tools of Titans” by Tim Ferris (my emphasis):

“Deloading blocks must be scheduled and defended more strongly than your business commitments. The former can strengthen and inform the latter, but not vice versa. To sum up, how can one throttle back the reactive living that has them following everyone’s agenda except their own? Create slack, as no one will give it to you. This is the only way to swim forward instead of treading water.”

Whether de-loading involves just doing nothing, catching up on some reading or writing, catching up with some friends or just catching up with yourself, don’t fear feeling lazy during de-loading. Don’t fear others thinking that you are lazy. Eliminate these thoughts. Eliminate those people if you need to. Once you start feeling better and more productive you can think to yourself – Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie!

Hopefully you have planned some slack and de-loading over the upcoming festive season. Use that time to reflect and better plan your de-loading for 2025. Then eliminate what stands in the way. Rest is a weapon. Plan it, schedule it and use it to your advantage. Until next time, keep breathing.