Holiday Hustle or Rest and Relaxation

With the holidays coming up, I can’t help but get a little giddy. I have always loved Christmas time; the trees with a bazillion lights, jazzy holiday music, and taking time off work to be with family. Oh, and the food… I can’t wait!

But most of all… egg nog ;)

Just kidding (sort of).

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, if you’re taking a winter break to see friends and family, the internal question will arise, ”Should I keep hustling on my side projects or should I rest?”

A case for rest and relaxation

Rest is an integral part of life. What better time to intentionally rest than around a Christmas tree with friends and family?

If you have been on a multi-month hustle sprint, I would suggest taking a breather.

Give yourself permission to leave your computer at home or office.

This is also a good time to reflect on your identity and purpose. Leave your assignment (whatever you’re hustling on) in the briefcase. Spend some time thinking about who you are and what kind of legacy you want to leave.

What you do isn’t who you are. I remember feeling completely lost one winter break during college. I was pulling all nighters frequently leading up to the break. As soon as I turned in my last project for the semester, I didn’t feel the release and relief I was hoping for. I felt despair. I was wrapping my identity with my assignment. I couldn’t tell the two apart. So when assignments went away, I didn’t know who I was anymore.

Be careful not to solely identify with what you are doing. You are important and awesome outside of what you produce.

A case for hustle

Having said all those nice things about rest, this can also be a great time to get shit done.

You’ve got time off from work. This could be an opportune time to get ahead on your personal projects.

If you’re not spending a ton of time with family, you could really hammer out some great content for your blog, finish a personal project or two, or just get caught up on things like backing up your computer, answering emails, listening to podcasts, etc.

A case for both

You’re pretty smart, so you probably saw this coming. Why not both?

My plan is to bring my computer with me around North and South Carolina and wake up early to hustle on a couple projects while everyone else is sleeping.

After a few hours of focused hustle, I am going to put away the computer and fully be present around my family.

Intentionality is important

Whether you’re going to rest more or hustle more, I encourage you to do it intentionally. Decide what you’re going to do and do it. Cultivate a life of intentionality.

Without deliberate plans and actions, you’re just floating in the wind. You’ll go this way and that and back there again… now over here. Pick your path and walk it. Change your direction when you need to, but always make it a choice.

As usual, I am preaching to myself, here :)