I remember a time when the idea of taking a break felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. Every moment not spent working felt like a moment wasted, a step backward in the relentless race to achieve. This mindset was deeply ingrained, a byproduct of my upbringing. My parents, refugees who started life anew with nothing but a diaper bag, a briefcase, and a single suitcase, worked tirelessly, often six or seven days a week, juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Growing up, I rarely saw them, and their constant hustle became my blueprint for success. When I started my first business at 12, inspired by “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” I mirrored their dedication, working relentlessly even through college. My early twenties were a blur of “work hard, party hard,” with no room for rest.
It wasn’t until much later, reflecting on my childhood, that I realized the subtle yet profound impact of those early years. I cherished the necklace with our house key, a symbol of my independence as I let myself in after school, my parents still at work. Their sacrifices shaped my work ethic, but they also inadvertently taught me that constant effort was the only path. This belief was reinforced when I moved to the US and encountered the American work culture, where 15 days of paid time off, including sick days, felt like a shocking limitation compared to the six weeks my parents enjoyed every summer in the Netherlands. I saw firsthand the dedication and sacrifice that fueled this country, and I adopted it wholeheartedly. Leisure time became a foreign concept.
But here’s the thing: that relentless pace is unsustainable. It leads to burnout, diminishes creativity, and ultimately, hinders true productivity. Over the years, running Asian Efficiency, I’ve learned a crucial lesson: breaks aren’t a luxury; they’re a necessity. In fact, they’re your secret weapon for sustained high performance. This is especially true as we roll into December, a month often overlooked for its unique potential for rejuvenation. Instead of pushing through the holiday season, viewing it as a mere interruption, what if we embraced it as an opportunity to recharge, reset, and prepare for a truly productive year ahead?
Embrace December as Your Recharge Month
Think about it: December is naturally a time of winding down for many. Holiday parties, festive music, and a general shift in cultural energy make it an ideal period to hit the reset button. Most companies aren’t launching major initiatives, and budgets often don’t kick in until the new year. This creates a perfect window to prioritize rest and recovery. If you’ve been feeling the creeping tendrils of burnout, or simply worn down from a year of hard work, this is your moment.
Instead of cramming in more social events or pushing through exhaustion, consider a different approach. Maybe it’s skipping the extra holiday parties, or if you do attend, opting for a non-alcoholic drink. The goal is to focus on genuine recovery, not just masking fatigue. By intentionally shifting your mindset to view December as a month for recharging, you set the stage for a more energized and effective start to the new year. Your actions will naturally follow this intention.
For me, December often means a trip to Southern California to reconnect with family. We play board games like Catan, and I cherish the relaxed atmosphere. I notice my sleep metrics improve, and my heart rate variability (HRV) goes up, clear indicators that my body is recovering. This intentional downtime ensures I’m well-prepared for the busy months of January, February, and March at Asian Efficiency. Approaching December with this mindset isn’t just about feeling better; it’s about strategically preparing for peak performance.
Master the Art of Daily Breaks
Many of us feel a pang of guilt when we take a break. We might not even know what to do with ourselves when we’re not actively working. But here’s a truth: people who are good at taking breaks aren’t magically gifted; they’ve simply made it a habit. Just like planning, taking breaks is a skill you can cultivate, one small step at a time.
Don’t wait for a week-long vacation to practice disengaging. Start today, on a daily basis. My personal rule is simple: after every task, take a break. Don’t immediately jump to the next item on your to-do list. Pause. Reset. Step away from your desk, especially after an intense focus block. For every 90 minutes of focused work, I aim for a 30-minute break. Even after 60 minutes, a 30-minute break is beneficial. And a non-negotiable for me is a full 60-minute lunch break, away from my workspace, often outside my home office.
I’ve also found a simple yet powerful habit: after every meal (for me, that’s usually a late breakfast/early lunch and dinner), I take a five-minute walk. It aids digestion, provides a mental reset, and gets me moving. The big idea here is to get really good at these small, daily breaks. If you can’t take a break during your day, taking a full day or multiple days off will feel overwhelming and stressful. Master the small stuff first. Take your lunch break guilt-free. Step away from your screen for a few minutes every hour. These micro-breaks accumulate, building your capacity for longer periods of rest and rejuvenation.
Navigate Life’s Seasons with Intentional Breaks
Life isn’t a constant, unwavering sprint. It has seasons. There are busy seasons, periods of intense work and sacrifice, where you’re pushing hard to achieve long-term goals. And then there are simpler seasons, where the focus shifts to maintaining momentum and enjoying the fruits of your labor. The way you approach breaks should adapt to the season you’re in.
If you’re in a busy season—perhaps launching a startup, navigating a high-growth period at work, or juggling numerous commitments—remember this: it’s temporary. Busy seasons don’t last forever. While it’s tempting to sacrifice everything, some things are non-negotiable for sustained performance. For me, even in the most intense periods, I ensure I take at least one full day off each week, usually Saturday, and a half-day on Sunday. This prevents complete burnout.
What I don’t sacrifice, even in busy seasons, are sleep, exercise, and a daily mindfulness practice. In the past, sleep was the first thing to go, but I’ve learned its critical role in energy, performance, and cognitive function. Exercise keeps my body and mind sharp, and a 10-minute daily meditation with the Calm app helps maintain mental clarity. These are my top three non-negotiables. Where I do make trade-offs is social time and dating. If you’re married, communicate openly with your spouse about your commitments during busy periods, but protect your relationship.
Conversely, if you’re in a simpler season, where things are flowing comfortably, this is your opportunity to increase your overall wellness. Think of your capacity to handle stress like a battery. In simpler seasons, you can charge that battery to a higher level. This means incorporating more activities that bring you energy, happiness, and joy. It could be a hobby, quality time with loved ones, playing a sport, reading, spending time in nature, or trying new restaurants. When I reached a point at Asian Efficiency where processes were smooth and the right people were in place, I could comfortably take three, four, even two weeks off without things falling apart. This wasn’t accidental; it was the result of intentional system building.
After a major project or a busy quarter, instead of just celebrating, schedule a three- or four-day weekend. This intentional disengagement allows for true recovery and rejuvenation. On a weekly basis, aim for two full days off. During these days, actively engage in activities that replenish your spirit. The more you do this, the higher your level of wellness, and the more resilient you become to future stressors.
Ultimately, productivity isn’t about relentless grinding; it’s about sustainable performance. And at the heart of sustainable performance is happiness. As I’ve evolved, my understanding of productivity has shifted from maximizing every minute to prioritizing well-being. Because happy people are productive people. When you focus on your happiness, productivity becomes a natural byproduct.
