I spent years believing that the harder I worked, the more successful I’d be. Slowing down felt like falling behind. But here’s what I finally realized: burnout isn’t a badge of honor.
The best ideas don’t come when you’re grinding away—they come when you’re out on a walk, taking a shower, or finally letting your brain rest. The most productive thing you can do is recover well.
I started paying more attention to my body’s signals instead of ignoring them. Instead of forcing myself to power through exhaustion, I began tracking my recovery and strain using Whoop. Some days, I could push harder. Other days, my body needed a break. Learning to listen made all the difference.
Rest isn’t something you earn—it’s something you need in order to show up fully. And when you stop seeing it as a weakness, it becomes your biggest strength.