#72: Embrace leisure
Every high-achiever should take time off
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Hey friends,
Welcome to the 72nd edition of the “Level Up Ladder” newsletter.
This comes a bit later than usual, as we just returned from our summer vacation. Even though we have traveled a lot this past few months, it was for a shorter time or we had to work from our destination. This was the first time we took an entire week off.
Instead of going abroad, as we’ve done in the past, we decided to have a relaxing vacation, with time to think, read, and eat great food. And great food we ate! I am a bit terrified of jumping on the scale tomorrow morning.
But I will jump, especially as I want to achieve 2 things this month:
Not eat any sugar.
Start a series of posts on LinkedIn about the first month as a tech manager. I will post every working day in September about the steps you need to take if you start a new management. Read them here.
I am not big patriot, but I have to admit that Romania has come a long way in terms of accommodation, services, and food. We stayed in three very special places, not far from Bucharest. For those of you who are from Romania, we stayed at Atra Doftana, Balvanyos Resort, and a nice cozy place in downtown Brasov.
PS: If you are from Romania and have some questions about these places:
I deeply recommend visiting Romania for a 2-week vacation. The nature is beautiful, and you can find hotels and meals that can rival some of the most exquisite destinations abroad.
Embrace leisure
For the first time in many years, I went on Holiday without any plans. We didn’t plan to see any site, and I wasn’t going to check email or spend X hours every day writing on LinkedIn or responding to comments.
Unfortunately, I had to check my email as some issues arose, but it was a good lesson for me to have better processes in place. I will talk about this in a future newsletter.
Anyway, aside from this, the only goal I had was to read as much as I could from these books:
The books are:
“4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman, which I started a few months ago but abandoned at some point
“The Story of a New Name” by Elena Ferrante, the sequence to “My Brilliant Friend”, which is one of my favorite books.
“Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense” by Rory Sutherland, which was recommended by several of my MBA teachers
And while I read a bit of all, the one that made an impact on me, especially since I was on vacation, was a part from “4000 weeks” that talked about leisure time.
For many years, I have been trapped in the productivity trap. I wanted to make sure I spend every hour of my day doing things that will either:
help me achieve a fitness goal
get me closer to a role at work
make me more money in the long-run
Walter Kerr noticed this in his 1962 book, The Decline of Pleasure.
“We are all of us compelled to read for profit, party for contacts... gamble for charity, go out in the evening for the greater glory of the municipality, and stay home for the weekend to rebuild the house.”
Excerpt From Four Thousand Weeks
And I think this is a disease for a lot of people today. On one hand, you have people who are spending hours everyday on social media, at the mercy of “instant gratification”. On the other hand, you have people like me who are slaves to the “delayed gratification” of every moment. Not living in the present, but spending every minute with the goal of increased returns in the future.
It’s funny, because for the most part of history, people actually enjoyed their free time.
For example, the ancient philosophers viewed leisure as the end to which everything else worth doing was a means. Aristotle considered true leisure among the very highest of virtues because it was worth choosing for its own sake.
Contrary to popular belief, English peasants spent a lot of time relaxing and socializing (when they were not dying of starvation or the plague, of course). Some historians argue that the average country dweller in the sixteenth century would have worked for only about 150 days each year.
Everything changed with the industrial revolution and the protestants.
Max Weber talks in his influential work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, that protestants viewed work not merely as a means of survival but as a divine calling. This belief elevated everyday labor to a spiritual duty, where diligence and hard work were seen as ways to honor God. The notion of "vocation" became central, suggesting that all types of work could serve a higher purpose.
For many Protestants, success in work was interpreted as a sign of God's favor. This led to the idea that filling every hour with productive work was a way to demonstrate one's worthiness and commitment to God. The more one worked, the more one could prove their salvation and righteousness.
This work ethic has had a lasting influence on societies, particularly in Northern Europe and the United States, shaping the self-view of these cultures as industrious and morally responsible.
As most of the companies today come from these regions, I can understand why we were brought up with this notion in our heads.
In a world that often glorifies busyness and constant productivity, high-achievers frequently find themselves caught in a relentless cycle of work, deadlines, and the pursuit of success.
However, as Oliver Burkeman highlights in the book, embracing leisure is not just a luxury—it’s essential for effective performance and overall well-being.
The Power of Leisure
Leisure time is not a waste; it’s a necessity. Engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation can recharge your mind and foster creativity. Burkeman emphasizes that leisure should be guilt-free, allowing you to disconnect from work without feeling the need to justify your downtime.
Schedule Leisure Time
Just as you schedule meetings and project deadlines, make time for leisure activities. Whether it’s reading, hiking, or spending time with loved ones, treat this time as essential. Consider blocking off specific time in your calendar for leisure to ensure it doesn’t get overshadowed by work commitments.
Practice Mindfulness
Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. This could be as simple as taking a few moments to breathe deeply before a meeting or being fully present during conversations. By cultivating mindfulness, you can improve your focus, decision-making, and overall effectiveness.
Organize Group Activities
Plan regular activities that allow you and your friends or colleagues to relax and bond outside of work. This could range from casual lunches to outdoor excursions. These moments of connection can lead to increased trust and collaboration, ultimately benefiting your pursuits.
Final thoughts
Look, I’m a high achiever, and as you’re reading this newsletter, I’m sure you are too.
It’s not easy to stop the wheels in our heads from turning.
There are always things to get done, books to read, videos to watch and so on.
As someone who still has a hard time letting go and just enjoying the moment, I can assure you, it does wonders.
I would always go for a run or a long walk with an audiobook in my head.
I still do that, but every now and then, I just leave my phone at home and listen to the birds in the park, or just sit on a bench and watch the water.
PS: Being Near Water Enhances Mental Wellness.
Only after reading this book I realize that my goal of reading as much as I can this holiday was the wrong one. From time to time, you should not have any goal. If you want to read, just read; if you want to watch TV, watch TV; if you just want to watch the trees, just do that.
Be easy on yourself, as difficult as it is.
Do you take time to relax. What does that mean to you?
Please let me know in the comments section!
Recommendations
1/ “4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman
As described above, it might change the way you see productivity.
2/ Russell Crowe on Joe Rogan
Russell Crowe is one of my favorite actors and I loved some of his roles, especially the ones in “A beautiful mind” and “LA Confidential”. This is a must listen for every fan out there.
3/ “Stop Worrying About Your Sleep Score” — Dr. Andy Galpin’s Warning On Sleep Trackers
Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll join me in the comments section for further discussions!
Leo
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