As I’m about to indulge in a restful raincheck from my daily emails…

Here are some of my own, more recent aha moments about rest & relaxation which could’ve stood me in good stead if I’d known about them when I was younger and wetter behind the ears.

One or two might be useful to you too.

And one or two might sound cryptic, or simply off base.

But that’s just how it should be.

Without further ado:

- The answer to “how do I achieve more” is not “by doing more”

- Mr. Miyagi's "wax on, wax off" mantra could hold the unspoken secret to the power of rest and relaxation

- Our bodies are very good at telling us when we need to take some time out. They know better than we do. The problems start when we think we know better than our bodies

- Society values activity above rest. Even perceived activity. Corporate workplaces (the thorn in my side) are a great example. Hustle culture, busywork, paper shuffling and presenteeism are rampant

- In fact, the scales are tipped so far in favour of work over rest that many people feel they need to apologise for resting (“I’m sorry. I’m just tired”). Or feel worried, guilty or ASHAMED about resting (e.g. wary to take time off from work - or not taking time off at all for fear of what the bigwigs and head honchos will think)

- Staying busy and not resting might lead to success in the short term, but more likely than not will lead to failure in the long term. The key is balance

- One of the best ways I know to get more clarity, direction, ideas, and yes - more peace - is through rest

Hence you can literally “rest in peace”, if that’s what you want.

Speaking of rest…

I’m off to Toronto this week for a coaching training.

And while I’m in the land of moose and maple syrup, I’m going to rest up, press pause on my daily emails and take some timely R&R for myself.

I’ll probably start writing my daily emails again next week.

So until then, take some time for yourself too if you can.

Au revoir.

- Tom

p.s. I’ll be sharing some aha moments from the coaching training in my daily emails over the coming weeks.

Especially if I think they’re particularly useful, interesting or insightful.

So if that tickles your fancy, stay tuned.

And I’d love to know…

What else tickles your fancy?

What else would you like me to write about in these emails?  What questions do you have?

Hit reply and let me know.

I’m all ears.