I love goals. I love the sense of accomplishment I get when I complete them. I love working hard. I love pushing through trials and coming out the other side victorious.
But here’s the thing: when I am exhausted, my creativity quits. I can’t write, I can’t talk on social media, seriously—I can’t talk face to face with someone when I’m that tired, let alone across a computer. Not what you really need when you want to be connecting with people, making friends, building a tribe, right?
There was a period last month where I was working a lot and I struggled with how to get quality work done and not totally wipe myself out. I still can’t say I’ve completely found the balance, but here are some of the things I found worked for me:
-Set itty bitty goals and then reward yourself with little things (short naps or beverage of choice).
-Take power naps.
-Know when it is wise to push through but also know when to optimize your rest.
-Count the minutes. Be very deliberate about your time and work when you have energy. Rest when you don’t.
-Learn the difference between exhaustion and just feeling lazy.
-And lastly, don’t overthink it. Go with your gut. A little time wasted in resting too much or working too hard won’t kill you.
So tell me, what have you found that helps you balance work and rest?
Emily Hayse 
I really struggle with this in good part because of mental health issues, and I appreciate the tips. The acceptance and acknowledgement of listening to your body as a good thing is lovely to see.
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Thank you! I hope the tips are helpful. It took a while, but I learned if I push too hard, it only gets worse. A little rest goes a long way. 🙂 I was enjoying your blog the other day…I hope things are going well for you!
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I love your tips, Emily–especially breaking down the goals/rewards into smaller portions. I think that would be helpful for me to try–now I just have to be consistent with not rewarding myself before I’ve met the goal. 🙂
Off to put it into practice today….
Happy writing!
Schuyler
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Thanks! Breaking it down helps me a lot, otherwise I look at the big picture, know I don’t have the energy and do nothing. Praying for you as you get your work done!
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Power naps are /amazing./
Thanks for this great list. I’ve been struggling a lot with productivity lately, and I’m trying to get better.
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