Take My Advice: When Less is Actually More…

Last weekend, I didn’t think about work once.

Friday was a flying trip to Hamilton to catch up with my son. The weather was stunning, and the time together felt like a breath of fresh air. Saturday, I wandered around the Palmy Swap Meet at Manfield Park in Feilding, rugged up and enjoying the freezing cold alongside the coolest cars, old friends, and time with my partner. Sunday brought a slow family lunch. No rush, no agenda, just good food and relaxed conversation.

By Monday morning, something had shifted. My mind felt clearer. I could focus better. I actually felt refreshed.

It reminded me of something I see in my work all the time: when learning or working takes more mental effort than usual, rest isn’t optional. It’s essential.

One of my 10 year old clients showed this perfectly. After reading for just ten minutes, he needed a five minute break to reset his mind. And once he did, his energy and focus returned like someone flicked the switch back on.

This is something I wish more of us realised. Rest isn’t a reward. It’s part of the process.
Especially when the work we’re doing requires more concentration, more effort, and more mental load — whether we’re at school, at work, or at home trying to make sense of something new.

If things feel overwhelming, if focus is getting harder, maybe what’s needed isn’t more pressure. Maybe it’s a pause. A moment to breathe. A chance to reset.

And sometimes, that’s true for all of us.