High performance professionals: rest and recovery.

We run several training courses that contain elements of high performance, and what it takes to achieve it. These can range from leadership to decision making and our instructors teach several 'front end' techniques to develop the required skillsets; but there is always one 'back end' skill that stays consistent: how to rest.

There is a misconception that rest is another word for sleep, and the two words are interchangeable. They are not, and you can think of them in the same way as boats and ships. You can put a boat (small) on a ship (large), but you cannot put a ship on a boat. Sleep is simply a boat; whereas rest is an impressively large ship.

You can check this claim by asking anyone who has had the misfortune to suffer burnout if there is any amount of sleep that can reignite motivation or provide a path of escape from the overwhelming feeling of professional exhaustion. If you do ask that question then you will receive a very simple answer, and that is 'no'.

This means that just because someone is able to get adequate sleep (generally between 7-8 hours), they are not necessarily rested to an extent that allows them to consistently perform at their potential. That is why the working world is full of high-achieving, chronically tired and burned-out professionals who sleep lots.

With that in mind, we teach our students to pay close attention to seven key aspects (or close iterations) that should be considered by every high performer:

1. Physical: Although this can take the form of sleep (passive), physical rest can also include restorative activities to improve circulation and flexibility (yoga).
2. Mental: If you have difficulty switching off from your day then you may have a mental rest deficit. Try scheduling frequent short breaks during your day.
3. Sensory: Things like being constantly 'connected' and open plan offices can cause us to be overwhelmed. Intentional sensory deprivation can undo this.
4. Creative: This is important for problem solvers and involves turning work environments into inspirations for innovation; as opposed to a grey boxes.
5. Emotional: This involves being authentically you and having the time and space to freely express your feelings and cut back on people pleasing.
6. Social: Be self-aware enough to understand what experiences and people can revive us (calm & supportive), and which exhaust us (busy & anxious).
7. Spiritual: This involves the ability to connect beyond your individual self to a deep sense of belonging, finding a purpose that is greater than yourself.

In summary, it is an essential skill for everyone within todays working world to fundamentally understand rest. As any top performing athlete will say, you can't consistently perform at the top of your game without commensurate recovery. So I ask you, as we approach the weekend, what will you do to rest and recover?