R.E.S.T stands for Relax, Escape, Sit, and Trust.
But what does R.E.S.T. have to do with success? Everything! Without the proper R.E.S.T., one cannot function properly at work, or in life in general. Be it a relaxing walk in the park, going for a swim at the beach, hiking up a mountain, napping in a hammock - whatever you define R.E.S.T., that's what you should aim to do on a consistent basis.
A study was done on workers who did not take a vacation on a regular basis. One such study showed in 2012 that those who did not take time off from work were more at risk of heart disease and depression than those who took vacations on a regular basis (click here to read the article on the damaging effects of less vacation time). Wow, scary right? What's even more scary than that is, because of this pandemic, the typical J.O.B is testing people's mental and emotional patience, piling on more work than is necessary. And that vacation time? Well, so much for booking a trip to Bali because of the lockdowns. So, now what? Are we doomed to work constantly and not get time off?
The answer to that is NO!
There is a rhyme and a reason why R.E.S.T. exists. So, let's break down each letter and it's meaning.
R - Relax. Relaxation comes in many forms. We just tend to think of beach vacations and ski resort vacations - you know, the extreme forms of relaxation. You know what else qualifies as relaxation? Pretty much anything that has zero to do with work. Taking naps, going outside to get fresh air, watching your favorite shows on Netflix, or hanging out with your friends can all qualify as relaxation. As long as you are not distracted with work, relaxation for 2-3 hours each day can boost productivity and the quality of life by a long shot.
E - Escape. Most young people - the TinyBoss herself - escape reality by playing their favorite video games. Sure, there are levels and puzzles that require thinking. But, that kind of critical thinking has nothing to do with sorting a filing cabinet, picking up foodstuffs at a restaurant, taking in boring calls, or sitting in stuffy conference calls all day. Escaping from reality could also be in the form of a book, a Netflix binge-watching parade (or Disney+ for those who are watching Loki). Escaping from responsibilities for a few hours does not mean that one is lazy. In fact, escaping can open up opportunities to be creative. Gamers, for example, can boost creativity since they focus on solving problems in games. Thus, they carry those same problem-solving skills to work, helping that company generate even more money. And here, we thought gaming, in general, was a bad thing.
S - Sit. Sitting in your favorite chair, or just sitting on your bed - wherever you sit, don't sit in an office chair (unless said office chair is more comfortable than your bed). In fact, here is a simple trick: Don't turn your bedroom into an office. Have a dedicated space inside your house - or a corner in your studio apartment - where the computer is away from the bed. Be it a few feet or few inches, have an office space separate from your bedroom or living room. That way, your mind can distinguish work from rest via spatial organization.
T - Trust. Trust the process that you are in. Success is filled with winding roads and twisting curves. No one makes it to the top without going through the rollercoasters of entrepreneurship. Sure, it may not be for everyone. But hey, someone has to start a positive, family blessing. Why not you?
Trust that you will get there, so long as you don't give up; and you do take time to truly Relax, Escape, Sit, and Trust.
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