#391 – How long can you keep it up before you burn out?

Your planning self, fueled by the Ghost of Exertion-to-Exhaustion (GoEtE), will say, "forever." It believes in endless energy––heck, it's not even aware of the concept of energy!

Rest? What's that for? C'mon, c'mon! Do, do, do!

Until one day you collapse.

When that happens, you're filled with shame––how can I be so lazy? Why can't I push through?

I used to be that person (ok, still working on it, alright?). I even judged others for not exerting themselves enough.

When my husband started working at a bike shop in Miami Beach and only had 37.5 hours a week, I wanted him to get another part time job. Despite the strenuous physicality of the job and his 10-mile bike ride commute, I didn't think he needed rest. I thought he was getting bored on his days off.

We'd both been cozy with the GoEtE before. Back when we both had our business in Madrid, that's how we lived.

I worked every weekday in my voice clinic and taught workshops on the weekends. He practiced drums for five hours every morning, then worked in his recording studio every afternoon and some evenings, and played gigs on the weekends.

We were addicted to the feeling of pushing through exhaustion. But what did we get out of it?

Not much. Our bank account remained mediocre, we never splurged on lavish holidays or fancy dinners, and didn't wear designer clothes.

All good for the Ghost, because its goal is met if you don't have "down time."

Because when you have "down time," your mind may clear itself and as a result, you may come up with a life-changing idea.

And if you do and act on it, you'll be taking the leap into the unknown, which is the one thing it can't allow.

Resting is how you unleash yourself from the GoEtE and open up to possibilities you can never envision when you're trapped.

Where in your life is your exertion giving you diminishing returns?

Love,

Carolina