As we close out the year, I’ve been thinking a lot about what success means—and how rest fits into that picture. Rest and success are often framed as opposites: one comes at the expense of the other. But what if they aren’t in competition at all?
What if rest is actually the key to sustaining success?
This idea hit me hard while watching the WOHASU Women: Harnessing Gallup Insights for Women's Workplace Wellbeing and Success event last week. Top leaders shared insights on balance, productivity, and reframing rest, and it reinforced something I’ve been learning in my own journey as an entrepreneur: rest isn’t a distraction from success—it’s a foundation for it.
Here are some of the lessons I’m taking into the new year and how I’m working to make them part of my life.
Rest as Resistance, Rest as Productive
One of the most powerful moments during the panel was when Dr. Ella F. Washington said: “Rest is resistance. Rest is productive.”
For so long, I thought of rest as “unproductive” time—something to feel guilty about if I wasn’t actively working on my business or tackling my to-do list. But this reframing shifted everything. Rest is what fuels creativity, clarity, and long-term success. It’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
In my own life, I’ve started to notice that the best ideas and solutions often come when I’m not sitting at my desk or trying to force things to happen. It’s when I’m walking, spending time with family, or just letting my mind wander that the breakthroughs come.
What I’m Doing: This year, I’m choosing to see rest as part of my productivity. Whether it’s taking a walk, pausing to breathe, or spending time with people I care about, I’m reframing those moments as essential—not optional.
Scarcity to Growth
Another key takeaway was the importance of moving from a scarcity mindset to a growth mindset—not just when it comes to competition, but in how we view our time, energy, and accomplishments. Too often, we treat these resources as if they’re finite and constantly running out, leading to feelings of overwhelm and the pressure to do everything in a single day.
But what if success wasn’t about checking every box on our to-do list? What if we measured success by how balanced our days feel? A growth mindset means acknowledging that success isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most and allowing space for rest, creativity, and renewal.
Instead of asking, Did I finish everything today? I’m starting to ask, Did I do meaningful work and give myself a moment to breathe? A successful day isn’t one where everything is done; it’s one where work and life feel in harmony, even in small ways.
What I’m Doing: I’m redefining what success looks like for me. It’s not about squeezing every ounce of productivity out of the day—it’s about creating space for balance. That might mean pausing for five minutes to reset or celebrating the progress I made, even if it wasn’t “perfect.” Success is no longer an all-or-nothing game—it’s a practice of showing up with intention and care.
Micro-Actions to Recharge and Reset
Finding balance isn’t about making huge changes overnight—it’s about small, intentional actions throughout the day. The panelists talked about the power of micro-actions, like taking a 5-minute walk or stepping away from your screen to reset.
This idea ties closely to the Positive Intelligence (PQ) model I use in my coaching, which focuses on building tiny, sustainable habits that can create a big shift over time. These little pauses might not seem like much, but they help you recharge and refocus in ways that are surprisingly impactful.
What I’m Doing: I’m making micro-actions a priority in my day. Whether it’s stepping outside for fresh air, taking a quick stretch break, or simply sitting quietly for five minutes, I’m building these moments into my routine.
What I’m Bringing Into the New Year
Here’s how I’m putting these lessons into practice as I step into 2024:
Reframing Rest: I’m seeing rest as productive time that helps me recharge, connect, and stay creative.
Identifying My Flow: I’m paying attention to when I feel most energized and productive, and I’m planning more of my work around those times.
Building Micro-Habits: I’m focusing on small, consistent actions based on my flow—like taking short walks or pausing to breathe—that help me reset throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
Rest and success aren’t opposites—they’re partners. By reframing how we think about rest, we can create space for the kind of sustainable success that feels aligned, fulfilling, and human.
As I look ahead to the new year, I’m excited to embrace this mindset and see where it leads. What about you? How are you planning to reframe rest and success in your own life?
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