Break This Rule to Avoid Burnout and Increase Revenue

You became an entrepreneur because you had a vision. A better way, a solution the world needed, a calling you couldn’t ignore.

But somewhere along the way, work became everything. Family, sleep, hobbies, friends… quietly turned into “maybe someday” luxuries.

We’re told hustle is honorable. We glorify grinding. I know you know this, and so did I. And then I burned out anyway, in spite of myself. 

Hustling is not a business plan. Endless work might make you feel productive, but it doesn’t make you strategic. It doesn’t make you innovative. And it certainly doesn’t give your business the freedom you thought it would. I know because I’ve been there (and still slip sometimes).

The rule-breaking truth: Rest is not a reward. It’s a requirement.

Planned, intentional rest. Not “collapse at 1 a.m. because life finally caught up” rest. Not “I’ll relax after I send 47 more emails” rest. Not even “vacation where I secretly work anyway” rest. I’m talking about rest you protect as a non-negotiable business asset.

Great leaders don’t wait to burn out. They prevent it. And the real magic? When you rest, reflect, and recharge, you show up authentically in your business. You’re more innovative. You make smarter decisions. And yep, your revenue benefits too, because you’re creating from clarity, not exhaustion.

The Entrepreneur Lie

“I’ll rest when this next thing is done.”

I’ve told myself that lie countless times:

“I’ll breathe when the book launches.”“I’ll take a break after this speaking tour.”“Let me just fix these 17 business emergencies first…”

Plot twist: the emergencies never stop. There’s always another client, another project, another goal. Productivity alone isn’t the path to freedom. It’s a trap. Hustle without reflection is just busyness disguised as progress.

Skip rest, and everything wobbles:

Your judgment slips.Your creativity dries up.Your passion starts feeling like punishment.

Without reflection and restoration, the business that once gave you purpose starts taking pieces of you.

When you’re rested:

You make smarter decisions.You stop reacting and start leading.You see opportunities you were too tired to notice.You bring innovation and energy that directly impacts revenue.

Rest fuels clarity, confidence, and the freedom you wanted when you first started your business.

The Challenge Before Year-End

Schedule rest. Now.

Not “if things slow down.”Not “when the stars align.”Not “maybe that weekend after the conference.”

Put it on the calendar. Protect it like your life depends on it. Because it does.

Here’s how to do it right:

Pick your time. Choose at least three consecutive days before the year ends. More if you can.Make it non-negotiable. Communicate with your team, clients, and even your own brain that you’re unavailable.

And this is where I have to give credit to someone amazing: Erin, my scheduling manager. When she started working with me, she looked at my calendar and asked if I was eating and sleeping. Then she (somewhat forcefully) began blocking out time for the gym, lunch, meditation, and dinners at home. She became the guardian of my sanity. Now, I automatically add these sacred blocks to my calendar, and nothing.  Not a client, not a crisis, not even me, gets in the way.

Remove the temptations. Delete work apps temporarily. Turn off notifications. Hide your laptop. Bribe your phone if you have to. Anything that interrupts your planned rest has to go.Do something restorative. Read fiction. Cook. Hike. Lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling. Whatever fills you up, do more of it.

What Happens 

Here’s the weird thing: when you stop “doing,” your business doesn’t crumble. Your ideas return. Your energy refills. Your happiness stops being on backorder.

You come back smarter, stronger, and fully present. The rested and reflective version of you is the visionary leader your business actually needs. You show up authentically, your team and clients notice, and your business grows from innovation, clarity, and smarter execution.

The Freedom Connection

Many entrepreneurs think freedom comes from endless hustle, from revenue targets, from grinding through chaos. But true freedom—the kind that lets you think clearly, make smart decisions, and lead without burning out—comes from protecting your energy and making space to reflect.

Your mind and body need space to reset. Without it:

Money stress feels heavier.Decisions feel harder.Opportunities slip past because you’re too tired to see them.

Rest and reflection are critical to building a business that scales, innovates, and thrives. When you’re rested, you finally act from strategy instead of reaction. That’s how you grow your business without sacrificing yourself in the process.

Your Challenge

Before the year ends, I want you to do this:

Schedule your rest. Pick your days and block them off.Communicate boundaries. Tell your team and clients you’ll be unavailable.Protect your energy. Turn off the notifications, hide the laptop, and remove every temptation to “check in.”Reflect and restore. Read, hike, cook, nap – whatever fills you up.

Do this, and watch how your business responds. Because a rested, reflective, authentic entrepreneur is a better entrepreneur.

And a more profitable one.

Final Thought

Entrepreneurs like us? We move. We build. We go. But sometimes the most powerful move is standing still.

The bravest act? Taking a break.The smartest strategy? Going off the clock.

Because when you rest and reflect… you rise.

So block that time off. Make rest and reflection part of your plan. Your future self and your business will thank you.

– Mike

PS – Some exciting things are happening!

The Money Habit is available for preorder here. Get peace of mind about money.

My new podcast, Becoming Self-Made, is the free business advice you cannot do without here. I am so excited to have teamed up with Relay on this project, and we’re talking with heavy hitters like Jesse Cole from Savannah Bananas, Don Miller of Storybrand, and many more! Don’t miss out.

Watch the trailer now and get a sneak peek: Watch the TrailerOr visit the podcast homepage for all updates: Becoming Self-Made Podcast

Clockwork can help you automate your business and get you that time freedom you need to rest, restore, and innovate. Grab your book here. 

And as always, free resources to support you are here on my website. From the Profit First Assessment to just about anything else you need!

 

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