We all have days where we just aren’t feeling like doing much of anything.

On those days, I find it’s usually best to make it a point to do something fun and relaxing.

You know, instead of trying to force yourself to power through things that you’re having a really difficult time focusing on.

Don’t just sit and stare at a screen when you feel like you simply can’t write.

Don’t just stare blankly at an empty canvas and continue to get frustrated with yourself.

It isn’t worth it.

More and more research continues to show that if you want to live a long, full and successful creative career that one of the best things you can do for yourself is learn how to rest effectively.

Change the scenery - go for a walk - do something you enjoy.

Even a fifteen minute breather from staring at that paperwork or your tax returns or your bank account or your project will do you a world of good when you’re in a creative slump.

This isn’t about looking for inspiration - it isn’t about procrastinating - it’s about learning to work with your natural rhythms and the creative process.

Our subconscious minds are constantly working in the background looking for solutions to problems we are facing.

How many times have you actually solved a problem that you’ve been struggling with by continuing to just try and force the answer to come to you?

Probably not that many.

I know for me anyway, the answers that I am usually seeking will arrive in a sort of “a-ha!” moment when I am doing something else.

(This is one of the reasons that I always keep something to write with nearby - or apps on my phone that make it easy for me to record ideas when they show up in an organized matter. Evernote is one great option.)

Sometimes the best thing you can do to fix the problems you are facing is to take a break and remind yourself that we work to live - we don’t live to work.

Give yourself the grace to take yourself and your work less seriously. 

You likely will find that the quality and quantity of what you make will improve dramatically when you are intentional not just about the work that you do…but the rest that you take as you do it.

What I’m Reading:

I have been reading Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s book, Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less recently and cannot recommend it enough for those of you who run any kind of creative business or are at any level are interested in “doing your own thing”.

The insights in it are invaluable and very timely.

You can pick up a copy of the new paperback here and connect with Alex at his website.

Thanks for reading - we hope this has inspired you and encouraged you to keep creating.

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Have an awesome day and keep making cool stuff!