The #1 thing I’m most committed to scheduling on my calendar this year

Over the holidays I set my out of office auto-responder to say:

“I’m currently off doing one of the harder things for me to do…REST!”

The truth is, this was once incredibly true. But I’ve gotten rather good at resting in recent years.

After all, my motto in business, inspired by a mentor, is essentially: Serve. Rest. Repeat.

Yet I wondered why I chose this particular message, at that particular time, for my out of office response.

Was it to serve as a reminder for myself? Just in case I forget during the holiday chaos?

Was it to spark an invitation or give permission to someone else who happens to land in my inbox?

For whatever reason my subconscious mind came up with it, it reminded me of my biggest priority for the year ahead.

This time of year most people are focused on managing their time better.

I care more about managing my energy.

Because managing energy, not time, is the real key to performance and personal renewal.

And time for rest is what I’m committed to scheduling on my calendar this year.

This means most evenings after 7PM. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The 4th week of each month. And dedicated weeks in the summer and in December.

Because what I know now that I didn’t know before is, the more that I rest (or relax, or play, or have fun), the more of an impact I can have.

On my family, my community, and the world.

And to me, there’s nothing more meaningful than that.