Rest for the Weary

Rest and motion, unrelieved and unchecked, are equally destructive.
- Benjamin Cardozo

A story is told of a man who challenged another to an all day wood chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day.

At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had.

“I don’t get it,” he said. “Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did.” “But you didn’t notice,” said the winning woodsman, “that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest.”

The paradox of the story lies in the unfounded belief of the challenger who equated his relentless chopping of wood to certain victory in the contest. Yet in the end, it was the wise woodsman who won the day not because he worked longer or harder, but because he was smarter and sharper.

In a story at keyorganization.com it was reported that only 38 percent of employees are taking all of their earned vacation days. The average used only 14 out of 18 days. It also reported that 40 percent of employees said their workload had increased in the past 12 months. Additionally, many are doing more with fewer resources, are doing the work of two because of the recession, and as a result find taking time off from work more difficult.

Are you weary? On some days do you feel that you are burning the candle at both ends? Benjamin Franklin said, “He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.” As a leader, when you learn to rest you will not only do yourself a favor but your team as well. Here are three suggestions to help you make rest a useful part of your leadership strategy.

Rest to recharge. In his insightful book, Focal Point, Brain Tracy writes, “The more rested you are, the brighter, sharper, and more alert, and more productive you will be at your work and every other area of your life. You will get more done by taking more time off.” While it is great advice, what is your experience?

Rest is one of the least utilized tools in your arsenal for success. Most succumb to the notion of the woodsman who believed that if he just relentlessly cut wood he would win. In the end he was discouraged to find that for all of his labors he lost. The lesson learned? Now and then you need to take a break and recharge.

Rest to reflect. The ability to think, process where you are, and chart your future is best done in times of rest, not in the heat of the battle. When you are physically and mentally exhausted, your perspective will be skewed. Your best decisions as a leader will come when your body and mind are rested. You owe it to yourself and those you lead to make the best possible decisions with a clear mind and rested body.

As far as perspective is concerned, your reflections during times of rest will polish off the rough edges when tired and irritable. If you embrace the insight of Charles Dickens who said, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty, not on your present misfortunes, of which all men have some,” you will see your world in a different light.

Rest to re-enter. Your gifts, talents, and leadership skills will best be utilized on all levels when you are rested. Imagine the difference in your workplace if you and your team are rested? Imagine the possibilities of sharper employees, improved attitudes, and greater productivity? The woodsman who won the contest did so not because he rested, but how he rested.

Times of rest will help you recharge and reflect. It will help you re-enter as a sharper leader prepared to excel. Rest is a lost leadership quality that will improve your skills and increase your longevity. A wise leader will make rest a practice and a priority.

Are you rested?

© 2011 Doug Dickerson