Rest and Rejuvenation: Why It’s Important To Build It In
The first time I truly considered the importance of building in daily moments of rest was a few years ago when I listened to a podcast host tell the popular story of the two lumberjacks-- one young and one old-- and how the older one outperformed the younger one in a tree cutting competition because he took time to rest and “sharpen his ax.” It made complete sense and was a turning point for how I viewed rest and rejuvenation in my life. Come to find out the story of the two lumberjacks is a widely used parable. Steven Covey also uses the story as his 7th habit of “Sharpening the Saw” in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Here’s the story…
There are two lumberjacks-- one young and one old.
They go into the woods for a competition to see who can cut down the most trees in a certain amount of time.
They go to different parts of the forest and begin to chop down trees.
The younger lumberjack works continuously without taking breaks to cut down the next tree and then the next tree. He notices that for some time he can’t hear the falling of trees from the other part of the woods and thinks that the older lumberjack must be tired. He becomes confident that his age, strength, and nonstop efforts will yield him the winner.
When it is time to tally the results, the younger lumberjack is shocked that his opponent actually cut down more trees. How could this be? he thinks.
Confused, he asks his opponent, “How is this possible? I know you take a rest every hour and I work continuously throughout the day, there’s no way you can cut down more trees than me. Tell me your secret.”
The older lumberjack responds, “Every hour I take a break to rest, eat, and sharpen my ax.”
The older lumberjack, being more experienced and wiser, knows he must take time to rest to have strength and sharpen his ax so that his tool is in prime condition. He does what he needs to in order to rejuvenate his body and keep his tool sharpened to carry out the tasks successfully.
Making the Connection
When I first heard this story, a metaphorical lightbulb went off in my head…I finally got it! I need to be intentional about taking time to rest each day…and not just when I sleep at night. I need daily moments of rest to perform the tasks at hand and to focus on myself; this helps me repair, prepare, and “sharpen” my body, mind, and soul.
For so long I had the “go-go-go” mentality. I pushed and pushed and pushed, harder and harder and harder. I rested when I was asleep-- and sometimes the amount of stress I was under prevented me from having a peaceful night’s sleep.
From the time I woke up to the time I went to bed, I went at my top speed-- accomplishing daily tasks, fulfilling work responsibilities, taking care of household items, volunteering in the community, and taking care of my children. I rarely spent time taking care of “me”...I didn’t have time to do so.
The weekends were just as busy as the weekdays due to our children’s activities, household responsibilities, and extra work I needed to do so that I was prepared for Monday. For years, our vacations were our “escape” and the much needed rest-- but usually it took 4-5 days to finally get into a restful state and before we knew it, it was time to head home to “reality.”
Running at this speed for so long, without daily intentional rest, led to big time burn out. I had some healing to do, and being intentional about having moments of rest throughout my day was the first step in this process.
So, I started to build in moments of rest:
Before I went to bed, I read a book and/or wrote in my journal about my day, what I was grateful for, what I was praying for, and I let my thoughts wander.
When I woke up in the morning, I spent time over quiet coffee doing my “10 Minute Power Practice” so that I was ready to start my day more powerfully.
During the work day, I took breaks for fresh air. I found time for short 3-5 minute walks around my work building or outside on a nice day. I got away from my computer for a lunch break in a different room, a colleague’s office, or outside on a bench on a beautiful day. Sometimes I invited a colleague to enjoy lunch or a quick walk together.
After work and on the weekends, I found time to sit quietly on the porch, to watch my kids play, and to go on distraction-free walks around the neighborhood.
My Definition of Rest
When we hear the word “rest,” I think there’s a misconception that it requires us to just sit and do nothing. (At least that's what my definition of “resting” was--and I didn’t have time to just sit and do nothing, so I never built it in.)
My new definition of “rest” is much different. Resting is productive to an individual’s overall health and wellness. And “resting” can involve an activity, like journaling, a walk, a conversation with a friend, anything that refuels your body, mind, and soul. It’s that time you take for yourself to prioritize your wellness and “sharpen your ax.”
The beautiful thing is that what I need for rest is different from what you need. So it’s up to you to figure out what works for you and your life.
If you look up “rest” in the dictionary, there are a number of definitions, but this one reflects how I think of rest: “peace of mind or spirit.” When I build in moments of rest in my day, I think of what will bring me “peace of mind or spirit” and I make time to do them. This may change from day-to-day, or week-to-week. But by being intentional, I can be sure to find those moments of rest throughout my day.
I’ve listened to many podcasts about rest, rejuvenation, and stress management that have impacted my own routines. I encourage you to listen to a few of them and start to define what “rest” means for you so that you can operate at your optimal level:
John Madsen, “The Counterintuitive Advantage” (Oct 31)
Mel Robbins, “The Power of a Pause: Do This When Life Disappoints You” (Nov 7)
Mel Robbins, “How to Let Go: 2 Simple Ways to Find Clarity and Move On” (Oct 16)
Ed Mylett, “Turn Stress into Peace & Purpose” (Feb 29)
Ed Mylett, “Robin Sharma on Living LIfe on Your Own Terms” (May 21)
Sharpening The Saw
I love this description about the importance of “sharpening the saw”:
“Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have—you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual….Every day provides a new opportunity for renewal—a new opportunity to recharge yourself instead of hitting the wall. All it takes is the desire, knowledge, and skill” (FranklinCovey).
If we desire to make changes in our life, find a better balance between work and life, and/or improve our lives and relationships, then “sharpening the saw” means that we actually take the time to do so.
Transformational Intelligence™ requires individuals to work on three areas of wellness to create massive momentum forward in their life: physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being are enhanced by “sharpening the saw” in each of these three areas.
To begin your journey of renewal, consider these questions so that you can get clear, recharge, and create momentum toward change:
If you want to create positive change in your physical wellness, what are things you can start to do today that will “sharpen your saw”?
If you want to create positive change in your emotional wellness, what are things you can start to do today that will “sharpen your saw”?
And, if you want to create positive change in your intellectual wellness, what are things you can start to do today that will “sharpen your saw”?
Remember, it’s about the smart small steps each day that lead you forward. Implement those steps one day at a time and watch what happens when you rest and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
Photo credit Olesya Grichina
