When Rest Becomes Productive: A guide for how to 'turn off'... by Adelaide Business Coach Sarah Howell

Strategic rest in nature isn't simply time away from your business. It's strategic thinking time that leads to breakthrough solutions and better client decisions

For those whose 'on' switch is hard to turn off

I'm a bit reluctant to frame it this way, but for some of us, it helps.

We need to reframe how we look at rest when there's always something demanding our attention... emails waiting for responses, clients needing answers, staff with concerns. Others constantly vying for our focus. Our ingrained habits pulling us back into action mode.

Do we always need to be 'productive'? Absolutely not. It's one of the traps of modern society.

I write this as a reminder for you, me, and all of us whose 'on' switch feels permanently stuck. Those whose internal voice refuses to quiet down.

Rest Isn't What You Think It Is

My version of 'resting' doesn't look like doing nothing. For me, it's more of a strategic break—a way to interrupt the cycles that keep me locked in constant motion.

Rest isn't the absence of productivity; it's a different kind of productive. When we reframe rest as breaking cycles and interrupting the thought patterns that trap us in 'doing' mode, it transforms from guilt-inducing downtime into a strategic tool for better performance.

I've experimented with different approaches to giving myself permission to rest. I've tried being strict with myself. I've tried being compassionate. I've tried replacement therapy—when I don't want to think about work, I deliberately give my brain something else to focus on. (This solution works particularly well for my Sundays, so I don't wake up Monday morning feeling resentful.)

Nature as Reset: A Different Business Coaching Solution

My most effective approach: I go to nature. Activity in nature: skiing, sailing, golf, yoga (though that's more of an indoor activity, it's always with awareness of my body and the natural world around me).

I focus on my environment. I practice mindfulness through my senses.

Perspective in vision helps perspective in mind.

This is actually why I sometimes take coaching clients up to the mountains. There's something about being surrounded by that vastness that immediately shifts perspective. The decisions that felt overwhelming at home suddenly have breathing room. The problems that seemed impossible start to look... workable.

The Different Types of Rest You Need to Know

We've been conditioned to see rest as the opposite of productivity. But what if rest IS productive... just in a different way?

Here's what I've discovered: there are multiple types of rest, and most of us are only familiar with one.

• Physical rest - Sleep, lying down, the traditional version we all recognize

• Mental rest - Breaking the cycle of repetitive thoughts

• Sensory rest - Stepping away from constant stimulation and input

• Creative rest - Letting your mind wander without agenda or pressure

• Social rest - Time away from the energy exchange with others

When we're constantly 'on,' our brains get trapped in the same neural pathways, the same thought loops, the same problem-solving approaches.

Real rest interrupts those patterns. It creates space for new connections, fresh perspectives, and breakthrough moments.

Permission to Rest Differently

If you're someone whose internal voice is hard to ignore, whose 'on' switch feels permanently stuck, this permission is specifically for you:

Rest can be productive. Breaking your routine IS work. Interrupting your thought patterns IS progress.

You might need a different type of rest than you think you do:

• If you're mentally exhausted but physically fine, a nap won't solve it

• If you're socially drained, solitude becomes medicine

• If you're creatively stuck, your brain needs space to wander

What Productive Rest Actually Looks Like

Your version of rest might not resemble meditation or sleeping in. It might be:

• A walk in nature (providing both sensory and mental rest)

• Complete sensory focus for 10 minutes (mental rest)

• Changing your environment entirely (creative rest)

• Uninterrupted alone time without having to respond to anyone (social rest)

• Giving your brain something completely different to think about (mental rest)

The goal isn't to stop thinking... it's to think differently.

Sometimes that different thinking is exactly what unlocks the solution you've been struggling to find through force alone.

✏️ Business Journal Prompt

What does your version of productive rest look like? When has taking a break given you the breakthrough you couldn't force? 

Allow yourself to consider in your mind or on paper this weekend . I like pen & paper. There's something about seeing the words written out that helps uncover & clarify the ideas in my mind. 

Not sure if you need coaching but something here resonated? You can read more about what working together looks like here.

I write regularly about the real stuff behind running a business... what weighs on us, what releases the pressure and how we move through.

 Join the list here if you’d like these reflections in your inbox. After 25+ years of building businesses and coaching consultants and service-based business owners, I've learned this: Rest isn't the opposite of business success ... it's what makes sustainable success possible.

Your ability to make clear decisions, develop innovative client solutions, and maintain the energy for high-level client relationships depends on giving your brain the strategic breaks it needs to function optimally.

The reality for business owners: You'll never have "enough time" for rest if you wait for a perfect moment. The clients will always need something, business challenges will always exist, and revenue pressures will always feel urgent. Strategic rest isn't about waiting for the right time—it's about making rest work within the demands of business ownership.

Your next steps:

1. This week: Implement one 15-minute strategic rest break daily

2. Notice: How does it affect your next client interaction or business decision?

3. Experiment: Try different types of rest to see what works for your specific business fatigue

4. Measure: Track the impact on client satisfaction, decision quality, and your own energy

5. 
   

Remember: Breaking your business thought patterns IS productive work. Strategic rest IS a business strategy.

The goal isn't to stop caring about your business—it's to care for it more effectively through strategic mental breaks that enhance your decision-making and creativity.

Frequently Asked Questions from Business Owners

Q: How can I justify rest time when clients expect quick responses? A: Reframe it as "strategic thinking time" and communicate clear response timeframes. Clients prefer predictable communication over immediate but low-quality responses.

Q: What if I get my best business ideas during rest time? A: This is actually the goal! Keep a simple note system nearby, capture the insight quickly, then return to your rest activity. The ideas that come during strategic rest are often higher quality than forced brainstorming.

Q: How much strategic rest do successful business owners actually take? A: Most successful business owners I work with find 15-20% of their working hours involves some form of strategic rest or strategic thinking time away from direct client work.

Q: Can I do strategic rest while still being available for urgent client needs? A: Define what truly constitutes "urgent" vs. "habitual client anxiety." Most "urgent" client issues can wait 30-60 minutes while you complete a strategic rest block.

Ready to make strategic rest a competitive advantage in your business? Start by identifying which type of business fatigue is affecting your decision-making most right now. Your next breakthrough might be waiting on the other side of your next intentional break.

About the Author: Sarah Howell is a certified Professional Coach (ICF) with over 25 years of experience building and operating businesses. She specialises in working with consultants and service-based business owners to navigate the pressures of growth without sacrificing wellbeing. Based in Adelaide, Australia, Sarah combines practical business experience with evidence-based coaching techniques. Learn more about working with Sarah

Tags: business owner rest, consultant burnout, strategic rest for entrepreneurs, business decision fatigue, sustainable business growth, work-life integration, business owner coaching, consultant coaching, entrepreneurial wellness