Working Fewer Hours Won’t Save You — But This Will

So many people, from content creators to freelancers and business owners, have been talking about burnout. It’s even covered in the media. But the suggestions from articles like those include reducing stress and taking more time off. 

Wrong. Fixing workload doesn’t fix burnout. That’s actually GREAT news for those of us who shoulder a lot of responsibility. It’s also why so many seem stuck in a burnout cycle. They’re focusing on the wrong fix.

Let me tell you about last weekend. There I was, in sunny San Diego, perfect patio weather, and I’m glued to my laptop watching YouTube videos about… YouTube. Not cat videos. Not entertainment. Educational content about growing a YouTube channel. On a SATURDAY.

My partner’s giving me the look. You know the one. The “weren’t we supposed to be relaxing?” look.

Here’s the thing, though: I wasn’t forcing myself. I was genuinely having fun. My brain was firing with ideas, making connections, feeling that delicious curiosity that makes time disappear. But I also knew that if I kept going like this, come Monday, I’d be toast.

This is exactly where most productivity advice gets it wrong. We’re told to maintain strict schedules, work set hours, and create rigid boundaries. But that advice assumes we’re machines with consistent output capacity.

We’re not. And science supports what our bodies have been trying to tell us all along.

More Actionable Breakdowns

Did you miss one of our previous breakdowns? Here are some you might find helpful.

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Are you constantly battling between productivity and distraction in the digital age? As a business owner or freelancer, your smartphone is your lifeline, but could it also be hindering your success? Discover how the digital revolution is rewiring our brains and transforming our behavior. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to master your digital tools and unleash your full potential in the modern business landscape.

Think Smarter, Not Harder: How to Implement Lessons Learned For Business Growth According to Neuroscience

Your daily experiences, interactions, and projects are shaping your mind and influencing your success. By understanding how your brain decides what to remember, forget, and transform into core skills, you can harness the power of experiential learning to skyrocket your business and optimize your life. Learn how to train your brain the right way to think smarter, not harder.

How “Vacation Mode” Unlocks Your Prioritization Ninja (Hint: it’s not about self-care)

I have to admit that I don’t remember where I read the actual term “vacation mode” for the first time but suffice it to say I did not invent it. We could even call it the “vacation phenomenon”. I know most think of “vacation mode” as that feeling of being on vacation and that’s not what I mean here…but whatever you want to call it, I am capitalizing on it now and it also just came up in a discussion in virtual coworking in the inner circle. PLUS, the great news is you don’t need a postponed wedding to use this trick…So let’s get to it. 💪

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I hope you found this valuable!

Wishing you much productivity!

- Jenae :)