Apr 15, 2020
Summary:
For most people, especially achievers, the idea of being forcefully shut down and locked home because of Coronavirus sounds like a nightmare. But what if it was actually a gift? An opportunity? How long has it been since you’ve had time in your calendar? How long has it been since you’ve seen the end of your todo list? We all like the idea of rest, but we’re oversubscribed in every way. Many of us were on a treadmill and had no way of getting off. Today, we’re discussing the POWER of PAUSE a.k.a. Rest with world-renowned author, speaker, and advisor to leaders of organizations across the globe, Curtis Zachery. CZ spends his life helping people find rhythms of rest that produce more joyful and effective lives. You may see that as boring, lazy and self-indulgent. Maybe you see it as a luxury of the elite. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. You can only give from a place of being filled. Rest is actually an activity, and it’s one that when used correctly produces real success and is even a true revenue driver.
The world is experiencing a pause in it’s day-to-day activities right now- on a scale that none of us have seen before. There is disruption at every turn, distraction from tasks and a deep desire to not squander this time that we have right now. So often we walk through life thinking “If only I had more time to rest, more time to spend with my family, more time to complete this personal project, more time to recharge…” Many of us have more time than we know what to do with these days! So how do we make the most of it? Today’s episode will be a deep dive into the power of proper rest and highlight the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity to reset our priorities.
Resources Mentioned:
Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:
About our Guest:
About The Guys:
Bob Hutchins: Founder of BuzzPlant, a digital agency that he ran from from 2000 -2017. He is also the author of 3 books. More on Bob:
Brad Ayres: Founder of Anthem Republic, an award-winning ad agency. Brad’s knowledge has led some of the biggest brands in the world. Originally from Detroit, Brad is an OG in the ad agency world and has the wisdom and scars to prove it. Currently that knowledge is being applied to his boutique agency. More on Brad:
Ken Ott: Co-Founder and Chief Growth Rebel of Metacake, an Ecommerce Growth Team for some of the world’s most influential brands with a mission to Grow Brands That Matter. Ken is also an author, speaker, and was nominated for an Emmy for his acting on the Metacake Youtube Channel (not really). More on Ken:
Show Notes:
[0:23] Bob introduces this week’s guest Curtis Zackery, author of The Power of Rest, and asks The Guys how their week has been and how they’ve been holding up through the self-isolation period.
[1:02] Brad says he is focusing on the day by day. “I try to focus on today and let tomorrow have it’s own way.”
[1:30] Ken adds that this episode is being recorded via Zoom call.
[7:03] Bob asks Curtis for his perspective. Curtis speaks on the differing perspectives that people have of this time. Realities are different for everyone, and although it’s obvious, it’s important to recognize and acknowledge that fact.
[10:00] Curtis adds that even prior to all of this, there was incredible burnout in every part of business. Everyone is usually hoping for some time away, time to relax. But now that it’s being forced upon us, it changes the way that we respond.
[11:08] Brad asks Curtis, why do you think it is that I cannot reach this point of rest without feeling guilt? What are some practical tips for sorting through all of the emotions?
[12:15] CZ responds:
[13:30] People are realizing that this previous understanding of productivity or identity is a challenge against the way we feel about ourselves during this time.
[14:45] CZ continues: “We’ve equated rest and laziness, and that is just not true…. Rest and leisure are not the same thing either!”
[17:00] “With intentionality inside of our rest, we are going to become more productive.”
[18:10] Ken adds: Principles that produce really great results are counter cultural/ counter intuitive.
[21:15] Brad: “Because I’m not going a mile a minute, I feel way more present- my mind is present more because I don’t have a running to do list of places to go and things to get done in between working.”
[22:40] CZ adds: “Another misnomer is busy-ness benign equal to productivity.”
[26:10] Bob asks for practical tips for those who are uncomfortable with rest, who deal with that guilt and deal with that lack of affirmation.
[27:00] CZ responds:
[33:20] CZ adds: Make a “To Don’t” list! You know what are barriers to your productivity, so call them out and be aware and intentional about those things.
[35:00] CZ continues: “What I care most about, I will put the most time, money, and effort into.”
[35:30] Bob interjects: “A To-Don’t list is a great idea… there are always ways that we could have used our time more wisely… where do we plug in down time, rest, etc”
[36:30] Brad adds: “Rest doesn’t feel the same for everyone… be aware of the things that fill you up versus the things that drain you, and balance those activities.”
[40:00] Ken speaks about what might be on your “To-Don’t” list and why its important. “Maybe looking at the news isn’t a necessity every single day… especially during this time.”
[41:00] Bob speaks on the idea that during down time or rest, we are losing opportunity.
[41:58] CZ chimes in: “For the most part, we as people are very good at ‘Whats’ and not so good at ‘Whys’.”
[45:00] CZ continues: “Now that many of our ‘whats’ have fallen away, we are confronted with leaning on our ‘Whys’.”
[45:20] Brad asks CZ about his inspiration for writing his book “Soul Rest.”
[45:38] CZ: “It was the result of having a reformational experience in my life.”
[48:40] Brad asks if his book can be tied into a business perspective.
[49:10] CZ: “The book is centered on the idea of finding our true value outside of the things that we can make and do… part of that journey for me was understanding my position in connection with God… ultimately I had to ask myself, is God enough for me? All of my life had been built around the idea that I am trying to produce, make and SHOW others that I am worthy to God."