Friday Focus (#5): Why taking a break leads to better thinking, energy, and outcomes.

It’s Friday. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve started eyeing the calendar for some time off - at last!

As summer edges closer, there’s a noticable shift in pace. Deadlines don’t disappear, but there’s a pull, an invitation to pause, step back, and take a deep breath. And the truth is: we need it. I’m in desperate need of some.

This week’s focus isn’t design, delivery, or direction. It’s distance, and that only comes from walking away for a while.

Here’s what I’m thinking (as well as where to go on holiday!)

1. Breaks aren’t indulgent, they’re strategic.
   Creative work isn’t factory work. It demands perspective, clarity, and energy. When we push through without pause, we stop seeing clearly. Stepping away sharpens us and allows us time to recharge.

2. Ideas often arrive when attention leaves.
   Some of the best ideas come when you're not trying to have them, on a walk along the beach, mid-flight, or lounging poolside. Stillness creates space for insight. You start reflecting and it only happens when you allow you slow down a little.

3. Rest protects your standards.
   Tired minds lower the bar. When you’re running on fumes, the quick option starts to look good enough. Rest doesn’t just make you feel better, it keeps you honest about what good actually looks like.

4. Time off tests your systems.
   If your team can’t operate when you’re offline, it’s not a holiday problem, it’s a leadership one. Good processes, clear ownership, and trust mean the work keeps moving even when you don’t.

5. You’re not your output.
   Taking time away can feel uncomfortable if your value is tied to visible activity. But rest reminds you that your worth isn’t measured in back-to-back meetings or Jira tickets. You’re more than your velocity!

6. Nature doesn’t do hustle.
   Look around: nothing in nature grows nonstop. Seasons exist for a reason. Energy builds in cycles, not sprints. And there’s nothing weak about honouring your own rhythm.

7. Returning fresh is a competitive advantage.
   The industry loves “always on.” But the people doing consistently great work? They know when to switch off. Rest isn’t a reward after the work is done, it’s part of doing the work well.

That’s the energy I’m taking into the weekend.

If you’re planning time off soon, don’t apologise for it. Protect it. Honour it. And trust that your best thinking isn’t always going to happen when you’re staring at the screen.

I’m off for a bike ride and I’ll be back next Friday!

Enjoy the weekend, or better yet, your break.