I used to never allow myself to take a break – even during the holidays. Every year I worked non-stop during the holidays. I thought it would be a competitive advantage to go all-in when everybody else is disconnected. I thought I would get a head start into the new year to beat the competition.
Over the years I learned that rest isn’t just nice to have, it’s a must for keeping our minds sharp and healthy. When we rest, we make better decisions and come up with better ideas.
As the year draws to a close, founders find these rare moment of rest in our relentless journeys. This past year has been challenging for anyone – especially in the venture world. It’s a time when the flood of emails and other messages slows down, as everyone steps away from their desks, providing a unique opportunity for deep reflection.
For me, this is the only time of the year when I can truly disconnect, as the rest of the business world also takes a breather. It’s a time for me to center myself, to step back from the day-to-day demands and clarify my ambitions and focus for the upcoming year. This period of quiet is not just a break; it’s a crucial period for strategic thinking and personal growth.
Scientifically, this period of rest is more than just a break. Research in neuroscience has highlighted the importance of rest for cognitive processing and emotional well-being. For founders, who often operate under high stress, this is particularly crucial. During these quiet moments, our brains engage in a process known as ‘synaptic homeostasis’ (Tononi and Cirelli, 2014), which is essential for learning and memory consolidation.
In my family, we’ve established a routine during this time of the year. We gather to write and reflect on the past year, discussing our major learnings and experiences. This ritual is not just about reminiscing; it’s a powerful tool for making peace with the past and recharging for the future. By sharing our journeys, we support each other in moving forward with renewed energy and focus.
Beyond personal anecdotes, the connection between rest and peak performance is well-documented. Adequate rest improves decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. For founders, these enhanced capabilities are critical. In the quiet of the year’s end, I often find the clarity and insight that fuels my strategy and innovation for the new year.
For founders navigating high-pressure environments, integrating rest into our schedules is a challenge but it is essential to set boundaries, practice mindfulness, and engage in activities that rejuvenate us. Personally, I’ve found that respecting this time between the years for reflection profoundly impacts my leadership and well-being.
This year, more than ever, founders need to recognize the power of stepping back. Embracing rest and reflection is not a luxury but a necessity for sustained success and well-being. As we prepare for another challenging year, let us take this time to recharge, reflect, and refocus, setting the stage for a year of growth, innovation, and peak performance. For our businesses and ourselves personally.