Rest Is a Strategy, Not a Luxury

Perspective returns when the noise fades.

It’s been an unusual month.

Since my last post, I’ve had a series of amazingly honest conversations with leaders in the region. Some are Boomers, others are Gen Xers, and most are Millennials - except for one who proudly identifies as Gen Z. Despite the generational spread, they all shared a similar heartfelt sentiment: the rewards just aren’t worth the effort. Whether they run their own small businesses, lead nonprofit organizations, or work as Managers hoping to transform a team, the refrain was the same: different roles, different industries, same fatigue.

Some are stepping down from their roles. Some are burning out. Some are trying to keep it all together with duct tape, too much food, too much coffee, and (likely) too much alcohol. It’s not because they don’t care. It’s because they’ve cared too much for too long without enough rest, without enough support, and often without the recognition their work deserves.

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A 2020 study found that 60.7% of small business owners (in the USA) earned less than the average wage worker. Source: LinkedIn

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Hearing their stories reminded me of a moment from a few years ago that changed my own path. I was in my doctor’s office, talking (okay, maybe bragging) about how much I was working, how little I was sleeping, how much there was still left to do.

He didn’t mince words. In his thick Scottish brogue, he leaned in. “Life’s a meat and cheese platter, boy. When you die, your employer will send a meat and cheese platter to your house. Half the people who sign the sympathy card won’t know who you are. HR will have your job posted before the funeral. Slow down, man. It’s not worth it.”

At the time, his words hit me hard. But not hard enough. Not hard enough to change, that is. At least, not right away. Like many people, I was convinced that the work needed me. I was certain that if I stepped away, everything would fall apart. I was naively confident that I could rest after the next big thing. Or the next quarter. Or the next crisis.

Eventually, I did walk away from that role. And here’s the truth: it was the best decision I’ve made.

I’m happier now. Healthier. My relationships are stronger. And while I still work long hours, I’m enjoying life in a way I haven’t in years. The work I do now energizes me more than it drains me. I’ve rebuilt, recalibrated, and reconnected with what matters most.

Thriving doesn’t mean dropping everything and heading to Bali (but hey, why not? If that’s on your radar—go for it.). Sometimes, it just means being honest with yourself and taking one small step toward a better balance. That step may not always be ahead, it might be backward or even to the side.

Remember: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

I’ve started encouraging people to book their holidays before the next big project kicks off. Don’t wait for things to slow down, they probably won’t, and don’t wait for the stars to align - you’ll be too busy to look up anyway. If this sounds like you, I get it. When things slow down, you stress about cash flow. When things speed up, you forget to breathe. That’s exactly why rest (and the rest of your life) needs to be intentional. If you don’t carve out time for it, the job will always find a way to take more.

I worked with a woman once who hadn’t taken a proper vacation in years. She was brilliant. Driven. Respected. But she was also absolutely spent - not just emotionally, but physically, and mentally. Eventually, she hit a wall and knew something had to change. Not the job, necessarily, but her approach to it.

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The average Canadian small business owner works 54 hours per week  ... ... For small business owners facing labour shortages, the workload increases further, with these owners averaging 59 hours per week, and about 20 of those hours are spent specifically compensating for staffing challenges. Source: CFIB

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In 2023 things changed. She started taking a trip every quarter. Not always extravagant, either. In the summer and fall, it was just a long weekend away with no phone signal. She's become intentional. She fiercely protects her time, and what’s changed is everything: her clarity, her energy, her enjoyment of the work. She fired a cancerous employee she’d been tolerating. She hired a new Project Manager and promoted another. She’s delegating. She’s lost weight. She’s involved in sports again. She’s in a new relationship. She's no longer just surviving, she’s choosing how to show up.

The best thing? She’s smiling.

That kind of shift doesn’t require a grand gesture. It starts with boundaries. With checking in and asking, “Am I actually enjoying this?” If the answer is no too many times in a row, it’s worth paying attention to.

You don’t need a five-year plan to begin reclaiming your life. You just need the willingness to pause, breathe, and remember that you’re more than your output. The work will wait. Your life won’t.

Take a break. Sharpen the saw. Share the load. Savour the good stuff while you’re here.

Before you finish, here are some questions to savour

• What part of your work gives you energy? What part quietly drains it? Look at your calendar, what part of your calendar aligns with your joy. Are your days filled with life-giving work or just tasks? Can you change this?

• When was the last time you truly rested, without guilt or interruption? If you can't remember, it might be time to plan your next real break before your next big push.

• If you stepped away for a week (or a month), what would actually fall apart—and what might grow in your absence? The answers might surprise you—and reveal the hidden strengths of your team.

• Are you building a life that you’d recommend to someone you care about? If not, what small change can you make this week to move closer to that vision?

Norm Adams is the founder of PivotLeader Inc., a business coach, facilitator, and consultant with more than 30-years experience helping leaders build sustainable, values-driven organizations. Known for his down-to-earth insights and straight-talk approach, Norm works with entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and Indigenous organizations across British Columbia and beyond. He's taking some time off this month :-)