“The Easy Riders” (after 5 days)
In Business, Do We Take the Necessary Rests That Keep Us Alert and Focused?
Here we are at the Canadian Border taking a rest. It’s been a long ride already and this Motely Crew that dubbed themselves as “Born to Be Wild” has morphed into the Easy Rider Bunch. Let’s be honest, we’re not youngsters and not only do we have to take more rests, we need a little longer to reenergize.
When you’re on a long motorcycle journey, making sure you’re rested is a serious issue. It made me think, do we take the necessary rests we need in business to keep us alert and focused? I don’t even have to write this one all by myself because there are articles pertaining to this subject are all over the web.
It’s almost mind boggling as I ride these roads through all this beautiful countryside that our forefathers first discovered centuries ago. They worked twenty backbreaking hours a day without rest, without a break, and without one complaint. Where would we be without that kind of work ethic, without that fortitude?
This country was built on the principles and beliefs that if you wanted to be productive and successful, you must keep your nose to the grindstone. It was the times at hand and it was the only way to survive and we are blessed with what was left for us to enjoy from their hard laborious work.
But, it is a new day. Now we’re in offices, shopping online, multiple ways of communication, faster cars, faster planes and let’s not forget faster motorcycles! Everything is at our fingertips and sometimes it’s hard to realize that we are not taking breaks. It can be a hard concept understanding that a necessary rest equals alertness and better focus when days already run short.
Plus, how much sense does it make when you read, to stay on schedule, you should take a break. That doesn’t mean that if you’re on a roll with energy to spare that you should “make” yourself take a break.
As explained by Professor Trougakos at the University of Toronto Scarborough, working over an extended period can be invigorating, if it’s your choice. What drains your energy reserves most is forcing yourself to go on when you feel drained. Mental concentration is like a muscle which becomes fatigued after sustained use and needs a rest period before it can recover, much as a weight lifter needs rest before doing a second round of repetitions at the gym.
So, whether on a motorcycle trip or at your desk, make time for breaks and be prepared for them. Not only do you need a break with a little mental quietness, it’s also a good idea to have a small snack. Sometimes you’re a little dehydrated so have a glass of water and a carb/protein combination snack. Your body is a machine which needs rest and refueling just like this Easy Rider Bunch on this journey so we can continue to enjoy this beautiful countryside and make it safely back home.
Thank you for joining us and stay tuned for more Summer Fun Leadership from Wayne Serie the Motely Crew!