Feeling guilty about taking breaks? Science says your “unproductive” rest is actually your secret productivity weapon.
Regular rest increases performance. An amazing scientific fact that I read for the first time in the book “Joy of Work” by Bruce Daisley. Companies that embrace regular breaks see higher productivity than those grinding through the day.
He talks about evidence that shows that productivity goes up the more time off people have and how productivity goes down the less break people have. Who knew doing less could deliver more?
My partner and I have been recently reflecting on the quality of resting during the week and on weekends and how hard it seems to be. We both felt that we had to justify rest as productive time.
Our minds kept looking for justifications to rest and do nothing. Do you relate?
In the resource sector, where high-stakes projects are the norm, this hits differently. I’ve watched project teams burn out trying to power through, leading to costly mistakes and delays. Meanwhile, teams that normalize rest are crushing their targets and keeping their stars.
Here’s how I’m making rest work (without the guilt):
1. Schedule breaks like meetings – they get prime calendar real estate
2. Schedule breathing moments between high-focus work (yes, actually blocking time to breathe!)
3. Use timeboxing instead of endless to-do lists – work in focused sprints, then rest
Bonus: I started this system when I noticed how hard it was to justify “doing nothing.” Now? Those guilt-free breaks are my performance superpower.