In previous posts I mention many times the importance of desire, passion, dedication, and many other qualities of determination. This post, however, is about the importance of rest. Rest is the night to the day, the rain to the sun, essentially the counterpoint to productivity. It is important to understand that a counterpoint is not necessarily an opposite or opposing force, but can also be a complementing one. Afterall, with every thunderstorm we learn to appreciate the sun just a little more.
Rest should not be mistaken for laziness. Laziness is the opposite or opposing force of productivity. Rest is in fact, productive. Rest is the recharging of our batteries, and we have several different batteries to recharge. In our lives, and specifically in our careers, we use 4 different energies every single day. These energies are; physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Just as each task may require more of one energy than the other, different types of rest will recharge one greater than the other.
Thanks to evolution our bodies are quite adept at communicating when our physical battery is low. We may become sleepy, our muscles may become sore, and our bones may begin to ache. It can, however, be difficult at times to know which rest is needed especially in the case of the mental, emotional, and spiritual. This is why it is important to take time, to slow down, and to reflect. The act of reflection allows our mind, body, and soul to catch up. This helps to eliminate distractions and noise like deadlines and/or our own anxieties that may prevent us from being able to evaluate what we really need.
Each of us are going to have different recharging activities. Some may prefer a night out with friends, or a bath bomb and a glass of wine. Some of these activities may drain one battery while recharging others. For example; I enjoy hiking over mountains. The act of hiking recharges my mental and emotional batteries better than any other activity, but obviously it is physically draining. No matter what the activity may be, it is important that you allow yourself to be fully engaged in it to obtain the best results.
Rest is important for all of us, for creatives it can have a profound impact on how we conceptualize and choose to execute. My studio art is emotionally driven and the detailed nature of it requires a lot of mental problem-solving. Because of this it is emotionally and mentally draining to execute. When I’m not well rested in these areas I find myself wanting to take shortcuts in my work.
My style of teaching is emotionally and physically draining. This creates not only a problem for me, but also for my students. If I’m not at the top of my game, it becomes harder to get them to the top of theirs. As an educator it is also important to recognize that your students also need rest. I am notorious for pushing my students to the brink (while also trying to be a compassionate teacher see What I Didn’t Learn in Grad School: Part 2) so a rule I implemented in my first years of teaching is that when I’m not working, they’re not working. This rule means that when there is a holiday such as Thanksgiving, Spring Break, etc. I allow my students to take that time for rest, by not having any assignment or progress due upon their return.
I also recommend that my students find “me time.” Though this recommendation is told to my students, it is good and sound advice for anyone and let’s be honest we’ve all heard it before. Many of us know this, but don’t feel like we have the time to do it. Rest shouldn’t just be a vacation or even a day off, but also a small habit. A little slice of time that you habitually carve out to detach and recharge. When this rest becomes habit, so too does the raised productivity that results from it.
I’ve noticed throughout the years that as our productivity grows so too does our confidence and passion, making rest the ultimate compliment. So, as you all go through your daily lives, find time to rest. Recharge your batteries and allow others to do the same. You’ll see yourself grow, and you’ll see others grow as well.
