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BY Brock Dudley

Rest and Work – Happy New Year!

From the entire team at Cameron-Brooks, Happy New Year! There’s an old Irish New Year tradition: “In with the New, out with the Old”. It’s rooted in the idea of cleansing the home and welcoming good fortune. This practice often involves rituals meant to leave behind negativity and embrace a fresh start. Random, I know. And no, I’m not Irish. I’ve never been to Ireland either, however, my sister just spent 10 days there, so I’ve been catching up with her.

This post isn’t about New Year’s traditions. It’s about why rest and work are both so important. I also know that the Holidays can be challenging for many people. I also know how challenging it can be to get back to work after time off!

If you want to catch up and listen to our 2024 Lessons Learned and what we are looking forward to at Cameron-Brooks in 2025, give it a listen here.

As I sit back and reflect on 2024 personally and professionally, I realize that it was full of blessings and tons of growth!  That being said, there was probably more growth in the last 10 days of 2024 than in the previous 355. How is this possible when I did zero work, read zero books, and ate a ton of food?

What I truly realized in the last 10 days was how important rest is, and how I MUST find the right balance for myself. (Now, hang with me – I will talk about why work is important here shortly.)

For what feels like the first time in a very long time, I felt present. I wasn’t striving. I wasn’t doing. I was resting. I was engaging in quality dialogue with family and loved ones. I was engaged with my community and my church. I was present with my wife. I was thankful for so many things in my life. What I realized is that I was proud of the work that I had done in the last year and thankful for all the many amazing people in life. I was thankful for the challenges that were presented and for those who help me overcome those challenges.

The Shift

There are two quotes that I read before I started the 10-day break:

“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state, but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worth of him.” – Victor Frankl 

And…

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer sense of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand”. – Woodrow Wilson

Those two quotes moved me. I had a lot of time reflect on them while I rested. Ever since freshman year at the Naval Academy, I’ve always struggled to go back to school or to work after the Holiday break. What I had been telling myself for years was: “Work is a necessary evil and leisure is the pursuit”, and basically, “it is all and only about you.”

Sad. I know. Really sad for me because I haven’t been operating in the right frame for the last 11 years. What I was telling myself for the last 11 years was a lie and promoting a philosophy of life that is unsustainable.

What I have come to realize is that we were made to work, to achieve, and to advance. People truly do thrive on work and pursuit of purpose. That work though, is about using your abilities to serve others and to better others. You can’t do this work though unless you take care of yourself.

The last 10 days have reinvigorated me. I’m excited to get back to it!

Rest and Work – Striking the Right Balance!

As we step into a new year, I know that many of us are eager to set ambitious goals and tackle fresh challenges. But before diving headfirst into the whirlwind of tasks and deadlines, it’s worth reflecting on the relationship between work and rest.

I leave you with some tips below Inspired by the late Tim Keller, a renowned pastor and author that I listen to, as He offers profound insights that are particularly relevant for leaders and professionals aiming to thrive in their careers without sacrificing well-being. These are pulled from my journal from 3 years ago (That I sadly didn’t abide by!).

Here’s how Keller’s wisdom can guide your approach to work and rest as you embark on a productive new year.

1. Work Is Important, but It’s Not Your Identity

While work is a meaningful part of life, it should never define your worth. In today’s culture, it’s easy to tie self-esteem to professional achievements, but doing so can lead to overwork and burnout.

Takeaway: Start the year by aligning your work with your values and purpose. Set goals that prioritize not just career success, but also personal growth, relationships, and well-being.

2. Prioritize Rest as a Strategic Advantage

Rest – make it a deliberate pause to recharge and reflect. Rest is more than just downtime; it’s a vital discipline that can allow you to reset your mind, body, and spirit.

Takeaway: Build rest into your schedule. This can be scheduling tactical breaks during your workday, or planning vacation with family, rest will fuel your creativity and resilience for the year ahead.

3. Rest Reflects Trust in the Bigger Picture

Keller taught that rest is an act of faith. It’s a way of acknowledging that success doesn’t depend solely on your efforts. Leaders who rest well often approach their work with greater clarity and confidence because they’re not operating from a place of scarcity or anxiety.

Takeaway: Trust that stepping away from work doesn’t mean falling behind – it often means coming back stronger.

4. Approach Work and Rest with Purpose

Rest empowers work, and work brings meaning to rest. When approached with balance, each enriches the other. Rest provides the energy for creativity and productivity, while meaningful work enhances the satisfaction of resting well.

Takeaway: Enter the new year with a holistic plan. Combine professional aspirations with intentional rest to create a sustainable rhythm that keeps you motivated and energized.

Start 2024 Strong, By Starting It Balanced!

As the new year unfolds, remember that success isn’t about grinding endlessly. It’s about working smart, resting intentionally, and focusing on what truly matters.

What did Ferris Bueller famously say? … “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” 

Here’s to a year of purposeful work, intentional rest, and meaningful progress!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Brock Dudley | Transition Coach

(210) 874-1495 | bdudley@cameron-brooks.com

Brock Dudley | LinkedIn