“When you work, work hard. When you’re done, be done.”
Cal Newport
I’ll admit it, this is a challenge for me. There’s always more to do. My mind is constantly tuning, learning, and adding new tasks to the project. It is partially triggered by a sense of pride that comes after completing a task and drives me to move quickly to the next. But if we don’t pause, when does it end? I work hard, but learning to “turn it off” has been difficult. I am constantly relearning that rest is not just an aspiration; it’s a necessity.
Here’s the key that can make a world of difference: before you start, define what “done” looks like. It’s simple, but it’s so easy to overlook. I am forcing myself to break big tasks into chunks, clear phases, so when I hit a milestone, I can call it “done.” This doesn’t mean the entire project is finished, but a section is complete, and it’s time to step away, breathe, and then return with energy and fire to work on the next chapter.
The pressure to keep pushing and producing is relentless, but are you truly more productive or just busy? At what cost? Exhaustion doesn’t lead to better results, only burnout. Taking ownership of your time means recognizing when enough is enough, even for the day. It’s about working hard when you’re working and then having the discipline to be done when you’re done.
Here’s the challenge to reflect on: Can you define what “done” looks like for you today? Whether for a project, a task, or even how you balance work and rest. Without a clear end, you’ll always be chasing a moving target.
To dive deeper into the discipline of focus and rest, I highly recommend reading “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown. It’ll challenge your perception of productivity and help you prioritize what truly matters.
Take ownership, define your “done,” and allow yourself to rest. You deserve it.
