Stop the hustle: achieve more by doing less

In a world where productivity is worshipped, the idea of doing less to achieve more sounds counterintuitive. But what if the key to success lies not in relentless hustle, but in the moments you step back?

Imagine a life where you wake up every day feeling refreshed, energised, and ready to work towards your goals with ease. This life is not a far-fetched dream, but a reality within your grasp if you learn conscious resting.

Conscious resting isn’t about passive downtime—it’s about actively recharging your mind, body, and being.

Conscious resting creates clarity, providing you with the energy and focus to live authentically.

This article explores how embracing conscious resting can revolutionise your productivity and overall well-being.

The myth of endless hustle

We’ve all been there. Working late into the night, sacrificing sleep, eating healthily or spending time with our loved ones in the name of ambition.

The hustle culture glorifies being busy all the time. Making us believe you only matter if you are really busy and have many things to do.

Hustle to become successful at any cost. Mostly neglecting our well-being, our health and relationships.

When you push your body, mind and being the most, you’ll end up drained, exhausted and operating in survival mode. Each day becomes a struggle to get through, and despite all your hard work, you can find yourself stuck in the same place.

The constant fatigue takes a toll on your creativity, decision-making abilities and overall well-being.

Instead of spending all your time and energy to push to get things done, it’s time to let go and rest to become more creative.

Take a moment to consider: when was the last time you truly felt rested and energised?

Why conscious resting is the key to success

You have heard “work hard, play hard”. Let’s say “work hard, rest harder”.

Conscious resting is more than just sleep. It’s a state of mind and lifestyle choice that allows you to recharge fully. Conscious resting is about deliberately setting aside time to recharge your body, mind and being.

This isn’t about mindlessly scrolling through social media or binge-watching TV shows. True rest is intentional and nourishing.

It impacts your body, mind and being positively. You create a space within that will give you more clarity, energy and patience to interact with anything in your life. Your focus is high, you feel more fulfilled and become a better player.

Redefining rest: a new perspective

Max Frenzel argues that rest is productive. Unlike what the majority of people think, that work is productive and rest is the opposite.

Spending more time resting, and less time actively engaged in work not only boosts creativity and the ability to problem-solve, but it also makes the time actually spent on work more efficient.

We need to rethink what rest means. It’s not just about doing nothing; it’s about doing something different that rejuvenates you.

Any activity that you do or don’t that will make you feel relaxed, energised and present at the moment and afterwards. I divide my rest moments into micro and macro moments.

Micro moments of rest

Start by implementing small moments of rest into your daily routine.

Take short breaks every hour to stretch or breathe deeply for 3–5 minutes.

Observe your surroundings for 1–2 minutes.

Become aware of your breath while you are waiting in the line for 30 seconds.

Go to the restroom without your phone for 3–5 minutes.

Macro moments of rest

Taking micro moments of rest throughout the day is key to keep your energy and focus high. Depending on your challenges, you also need macro moments of rest. Personally, I do the following to recharge daily, weekly and monthly:

Daily macro moments:

• Meditating for 10–15 minutes a day
• Journaling on days that I have brain fog
• Conscious breathing

Weekly macro moments:

• Taking a sauna or infra-red sauna three times a week
• Going for long walks in nature 2–4 times a week for 40 to 70 minutes

Monthly macro moments:

• Have a massage
• Take 1 spa day between the months of October and April when winter is here
• Go away once every three months on a weekend trip
• Take a week off my gym routine to relax and start a new programme

Morning gratitude

Upon waking, take a moment to express gratitude. Acknowledge the gift of a new day, and set a positive tone for the hours ahead.

Follow a simple routine by making your bed, looking in the mirror and affirming your self-worth. Spend 2–3 minutes to meditate or journal to become aware of what is going on internally.

Mindful movement

Whenever you feel a dip in your energy, change your state. This can easily be done by standing up or taking three deep breaths.

Take a short walk of 10–15 minutes outside in your lunch break to release and flow your energy again.

Conscious digital consumption

We all reach out to our phone, sometimes unconsciously. Before you know it, you could waste 10–15 minutes easily on social media. Become aware of the moment that you want to grab your phone and write down how you feel before doing that.

Set specific times for social media. Use these moments consciously, rather than as a way to numb your mind and feelings. This will prevent digital fatigue and keep your energy focused on what truly matters.

Evening wind-down

Instead of plopping on the couch to watch TV after work, try something different. Read a book, meditate, go for a walk or engage in a relaxing hobby. These activities help you unwind and prepare your mind for restful sleep.

The benefits of conscious resting

By integrating conscious resting into your life, you’ll notice profound changes. Here are some of them:

• Your stress levels will decrease
• You’ll approach challenges with a calm and focused mindset
• Your creativity will flourish
• You have patience to listen better in challenging moments
• There is more space within you to respond with more compassion
• Your relationships will improve
• You’ll experience a sense of peace and fulfilment
• You wake up energised

A shift in your “being” after conscious resting

You’ll feel a massive shift in your being as a person. You notice that you are calmer, less stressed, and don’t take anything personally any more.

There is rest and space for you to be yourself, you are aware of your own thoughts, emotions and can witness activations in yourself quickly.

You accept others for who they are, you are more patient and speak from a place of love and power. Things come easier to you and every interaction is fresh and new, just like your new day and new being.

You take responsibility for your own being and won’t blame others.

Overcoming common objections

It’s easy to dismiss the idea of conscious resting with thoughts like “I don’t have time” or “I can’t relax”, or “I will do this when I’m not this busy”.

The truth is, you are in this situation because you are not resting. You can’t afford to not rest.

The benefits far outweigh the initial discomfort of breaking free from constant busyness.

If you find meditation challenging, start small. Just a few minutes of deep breathing can make a difference.

If you believe you need to work 12 hours a day for success, consider this: a well-rested mind is far more effective than an exhausted one.

My journey to conscious resting

I used to be that person who worked 12-hour days, thinking that effort would lead to success. But it didn’t. I was overweight, constantly tired and stuck in survival mode.

Every day felt like a battle just to keep going. It wasn’t until I began to prioritise rest that things started to change. I began waking up refreshed, my mind clear and my energy level high.

Work became easier and life became more enjoyable. I’m amazed by how much work I can do when I’m rested. It’s not only the amount, but the quality of the work and results that I’m having.

A step-by-step approach to conscious resting

If you are ready to make a change, here’s a simple framework to get started:

Awareness: Track your daily habits for a week. Notice when you feel most tired, and identify moments where you can incorporate rest.

Micro rests: Introduce small, mindful breaks throughout your day. These can be as simple as standing up and stretching or taking three deep breaths.

Morning routine: Start your day with gratitude and a few minutes of self-care. This sets a positive tone and helps you feel grounded.

Mindful movements: Implement physical activities into your day. It does not have to be intense, just enough to get your body moving and your blood flowing. Stand up often, go for a short walk, work standing up.

Conscious consumption: Limit mindless digital consumption. Set specific times for social media and stick to them.

Evening routine: Wind down with activities that relax you. This could be reading, meditating, or anything that helps you disconnect from the day’s stress.

Final thoughts

Conscious resting is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for anyone looking to live a fulfilled, creative and productive life.

Conscious resting is more than just a break—it’s a strategy for sustainable success. By integrating rest into your daily routine, you’ll unlock creativity, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being.

So, take a deep breath, step back, and let rest become the foundation of your success!

Are you ready to transform your life? Start by integrating just one of these micro-resting moments into your day and watch the change unfold.

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