Are You Stuck in Hustle Mode?
A coaching client recently said something very profound.
He said, “Vanessa, I know I’m exhausted, but I don’t know how to slow down.”
He’s a senior leader in his firm. He is very smart, driven and successful by almost every measure.
But he has a big problem.
He does not know how to rest.
He does not take time to recharge.
At work, every free moment of his day is filled with some kind of activity. He is either answering emails, in meetings, coaching his team members, thinking about strategy and the list goes on. He is constantly moving, solving problems, helping others and carrying the weight of the organization on his shoulders.
At home, he is either thinking about work or feeling guilty that he is not working. When not working, he might binge-watch a show at night or scroll on his phone.
Sadly, this is not rest!
Does this scenario sound familiar?
Maybe you’ve worked with someone like this, live with someone like this or are exactly like this yourself!!!
I was reminded of this client while listening to a recent episode of Jay Shetty’s podcast On Purpose, where he talked about “hustle culture”.
His message was simple but powerful:
Many of us aren’t burned out because we work too hard. We’re burned out because we have tied our productivity to our self-worth.
Wow! I nearly fell off my chair when I heard this statement. It is so true!
I see this all the time with leaders. They wear busyness like a badge of honour.
When someone asks how they’re doing, the response is often:
“Crazy busy.”
As if exhaustion is proof of importance.
One of the biggest insights from the podcast was that rest is not just about sleep.
In fact, you may be getting enough sleep but are still feeling exhausted and depleted.
The 7 Types of Rest Every Leader Needs
Here are the 7 types of rest Jay Shetty suggests we all need:
- Physical Rest – Sleep, exercise, movement, and recovery.
- Mental Rest – Giving your brain a break from constant problem-solving and decision-making.
- Emotional Rest – Having a safe space where you can be honest instead of always being the strong one.
- Sensory Rest – Stepping away from screens, notifications, and constant stimulation.
- Social Rest – Spending time with people who energize you rather than drain you.
- Creative Rest – Seeking inspiration through nature, art, learning, or new experiences.
- Spiritual Rest – Reconnecting with purpose, meaning, and what truly matters.
I personally think this list is brilliant and a game-changer!
So, one of the questions I now ask leaders is:
What type of rest are you missing?
Because sometimes the answer isn’t working harder.
It’s recovering smarter.
The strongest leaders aren’t the ones who push themselves relentlessly. They’re the ones who understand that performance and recovery go hand in hand.
After all, you don’t have to earn rest.
You need it to do your best work.
P.S. After listening to this podcast, I am personally committing to a 20-minute walk every day by myself without my phone. I will just be breathing, listening to the birds chirp and the trees rustle! I’ve never done anything like this before so I’m curious to see how it goes!
What can you do to spend less time in hustle mode?
Thank you for sharing!
If you found this article helpful, please click the links below to share it on your favorite platform.
