Are you actually recharging, or just "re-syncing"?
I’ve been watching the discussions here over the holidays, and it’s inspiring to see so much passion. But it also got me thinking. After 35 years in the entrepreneurial world, I’ve realised that my biggest mistakes didn't happen because I wasn't working hard enough—they happened because I was running on an empty battery.
As founders, we are obsessed with "optimisation." We optimize our code, our funnels, and our growth. But this week, I’m trying something different: I’m optimising for rest.
I’ve spent the last few days intentionally stepping away from the screen. Not to plan the next pivot or to "reflect on KPIs," but to actually let my mind go quiet. I’m finding that the better I use this week to truly recharge my own energy, the more excited I feel about 2026.
It’s a strange feeling to not be "productive" for a few days, but I’m learning that my energy levels are the most important asset I have. If that battery isn't green, nothing else I build will be sustainable.
How are you using this final week of the year?
Are you taking the time to fully unplug and recharge? Or do you find it impossible to let go of the "hustle" even for a few days?
I'd love to hear how you manage your personal energy during these breaks!
Replies
IXORD
Regardless of holidays, I always work, but I reset myself during a 15 minute break by not thinking about work or tasks. For example, I think about how I would act differently in a book I have read. This is how I maintain balance and try to be more productive
@ixord Nice, what was the last book you read and what would you have done different? And is it really resetting or maybe still thinking about creating something new?
IXORD
@christian_van_gils I recently reread a book about The Lord of the Rings. I like this story, and I often think about what I would do in the place of the characters. I would say that this process is a form of reset and also a way of self improvement, because we mentally implement the situations from the book and decide how and what we would do
@ixord Sound nice Lord Igor :-) And what did you do different?
IXORD
@christian_van_gils On one hand, I understand that readers have an advantage because they know things that the main characters do not, and therefore their decisions can be completely different. For example, why not send Legolas on reconnaissance more often to prevent a fight? But the book was made to be interesting for the reader, and I am sure there are fans who would make much more thoughtful decisions than the characters. However, then the story would be boring
This really landed for me. I’ve noticed the same pattern stepping away just to plan or “re-sync” isn’t rest, it’s still work in disguise. The hardest part is letting the mind actually go quiet without feeling guilty about it.Trying to treat energy as the constraint, not time. When that’s off, everything else feels forced anyway.
Appreciate you putting words to this it’s a good reminder going into the new year.
@syed_hassan9 Exactly—'work in disguise' is the perfect way to put it. Re-syncing is just moving tasks around; true rest is letting the machine cool down. When we respect the constraint of energy, the work naturally becomes more purposeful. Appreciate the thoughtful comment! And have also 3 good days in 2025 :-)
@christian_van_gils Well said I really like that framing. Letting the machine cool down instead of just rearranging tasks is harder than it sounds, but it makes a real difference.Appreciate the exchange, and wishing you a great start to 2025 as well 🙂
@syed_hassan9 Thank you!
X-Design
This really hits. The distinction between re-syncing and actually recharging is something many of us blur without realizing it.
I’m trying to do less “strategic resting” this week — no KPIs, no roadmaps, no optimization disguised as reflection. Just stepping away enough for my nervous system to reset, not my to-do list. What I’ve noticed is similar to what you described: when the battery genuinely refills, motivation comes back on its own, without forcing it.
Energy is the real constraint, not ideas or effort. Appreciate you putting words to that — it’s a good reminder, especially for those of us who default to hustle mode.
@tony_hsieh2 Spot on. Motivation is a byproduct of energy, not a result of willpower. It’s a brave move to skip the 'strategic reflection' and just be present, it feels like losing control, but it's actually how you regain it. It sounds like you’ve hit the 'true recharge' button. So you will entering 2026 with a full battery! Check your Mood and your Workload also as "KPI" indicators.