Why you don’t need to “earn” your time off this August.
Permission Granted
Daniel Pink, in his research on human performance, makes a point that should reframe how we think about rest. It isn’t a reward for hard work, and it isn’t something you must “earn”.
No one can go all out 100% of the time. Rest is non-negotiable, built into how we’re wired. The only question is whether you’re using your breaks deliberately, to come back refreshed and ready for the next round.
The only choice you have is whether you rest intentionally, or whether your brain forces the issue through distraction, procrastination, or eventually, burnout.
So if you’re looking for permission to get out of the office… permission granted.
And here’s how you can use your time away well, no matter whether you have an hour, a day, or a week, so you come back feeling stronger.
Make the Most of the Time You’ve Got
Not everyone gets two weeks off in August. Whether you can easily carve out an hour, a day, or a week, here’s how to make the most of it:
If you only have an hour — leave the building. A change of environment does something that closing your laptop in the same room doesn’t. Even twenty minutes outside, phone in pocket rather than in hand, creates mental distance. A walk in the sun can reset the entire day.
If you have a day — design it in advance (or at least set some intentions). What do you actually want to do with this time? Who do you want to spend it with? Unplanned days off often feel wasted because decision fatigue sets in before noon and you end up scrolling (or checking your email, just in case). Being intentional prevents that without turning rest into another project.
If you have a week — give yourself permission to decompress slowly. The first day or two might not feel restful. Rather than pushing through or feeling guilty about it, try consciously letting go of each open loop as it surfaces: acknowledge it, trust that it’s handled or can wait, and bring your attention back to where you are. Presence is a practice, not a switch.
This Week’s Takeaway
Rest is part of working hard, not the opposite of it. The business owners who sustain high performance over years aren’t the ones who never stop. They’re the ones who know when to.
How will you intentionally recharge this month?
Upcoming Event:
ActionCLUB – Top 10 Marketing Mistakes, and What To Do Instead
Join ActionCLUB on Friday, August 21st from 10-1 to avoid the most common marketing pitfalls that keep service businesses stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle, and learn practical strategies to attract clients consistently!
Details
“Top 10 Marketing Mistakes, and What To Do Instead”
- Friday August 21, 10am-1pm
- In-person at IDEA Mississauga
- Visitor Tickets: $60
- Includes interactive sessions, table discussions & a networking lunch.
Reserve Your Spot: extramilecoach.ca/visit
Clockwork, Revised and Expanded: by Mike Michalowicz
Clockwork is a great read for any business owner who feels like they’ve become the bottleneck in their own company. Mike Michalowicz draws on more than a decade of research, hundreds of real-world case studies, and lessons from his work with entrepreneurs to offer practical strategies for building a business that relies less on the owner and more on clear roles, trusted systems, and empowered people.
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