Growth Takes Energy

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“It is very important that we relearn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses through chronic tension and worry; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

I made a rookie mistake last weekend. My kids, a friend, Cooper the dog, and I went hiking. It was 1.9 miles each way and 1500 feet of elevation gain. Not a particularly long hike but it had some challenging elements. Here was my mistake: as the responsible adult who had done this trail at least a dozen times, I didn’t call a break until we reached the top — at about two hours after we started hiking.

Doh! I know better. Hikes are more enjoyable, easier to do, and sometimes are even faster when we take breaks along the way. But often I am so focused on the destination that I ignore the wisdom to stop along the way.

So this week’s Life of Try podcast episode is the reminder I need. As we head into fall and all the changes in routines, rhythm and goals, I focused on finding some recommendations about how to best rest and restore so that we can meet our goals. Drawing on ideas from Carol Dweck’s growth mindset research, Adam Grant’s work on motivation and habits, and research on creativity and stress reduction, this episode offers practical ways to make change more sustainable. Three tips in particular resonated with me:

  1. Expect fatigue
  2. Build in regular rest intervals
  3. Reduce unnecessary decisions

So, if you often push to the top without taking a break, consider this your reminder that growth takes energy and we need some rest.

If you are working on personal growth, building better habits, navigating a life transition, or trying to avoid burnout, this episode offers an encouraging reminder: tiredness isn’t weakness. Sometimes it is information—and an invitation to recover before the next climb.

P.S. I’m unable to get the captions to show up when in a Word Press post. If you’d like to watch with captions, please click the link below.

Links for this episode:

Growth Mindset, Habit Formation and the Power of Rest transcript

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck, PhD on Amazon

Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy Baumeister and John Tierney

The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life by Mike Rucker, PhD

Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy

How to Build Habits that Stick | Why Fun is the Secret to Lasting Change

Identity Before Strategy | How to Break Through Invisible Ceilings with Kevin Yoder

Encourage Effort, Not Results | How to Build Resilience and Confidence

Success isn’t always about finishing first. Sometimes the greatest victories belong to those who stay prepared, keep growing, and never stop trying.

(featured photo from Pexels)

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You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram wynneleon

40 thoughts on “Growth Takes Energy”

  1. I have Carol dwecks and Adam grants ebooks, but years gone by, I still didn’t read it yet. This is a great episode, Wynne. There’s next time to do better like you’ve said about the hike.

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  3. Looking forward to watching this episode, Wynne!

    This statement really resonates with where I am in my growth journey—

    “Success isn’t always about finishing first. Sometimes the greatest victories belong to those who stay prepared, keep growing, and never stop trying.”

    Thanks for sharing!🌸💕

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  8. When it is super-hot outside and I am push mowing the lawn…instead of the usual push-through to finish without stopping, I take a few breaks along the way and feel much more relaxed and refreshed executing the whole mow. Works every time. Heck, I don’t get “bonus points” for finishing in a certain time, so I focus more on “enjoying” the task as much as possible.

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  10. As I watched this and listened to you, Wynne, I thought about professional athletes and performers. As you know, all of them come to a point of diminished performance no matter a routine involving rest.

    Many of them never come to terms with their performative demise until well past major decline. This might be a useful topic to consider. Sometimes trying will not recreate the obvious loss of capacity. Their.”use by” date is past.

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  11. Love any conversation about growth mindset and Carol Dweck! Ever relevant, I say! And I love your comment, Wynne that we need to look out for those who aren’t naturally inclined to pause…readiness for growth matters, too! xo! 💝

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      1. There was a sports parenting coach, David Benzel, who had a podcast and website called “Growing Champions for Life.” I listened to him on my morning walks for inspiration for my weekly sports parenting column for SwimSwam.com. He recommended books for parents and “Mindset” was one of them. You prompted me to go to his website. I discovered he’s now retired.

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  14. Ok Wynne, I’m a little off the hiking path here, but every word you were saying about resting and growing and learning took me directly to our Baby J grandson we get to watch in video chats every week. He needs plenty of rest, AND he is learning every day. This week it was clapping (with a cue from Mom) he clapped and clapped with a wide smile, pumping his legs so hard in his bouncy chair. He is eating so many new things now, and has learned to skip the spoon and put that bowl of pureed pears right to his mouth, hahaha. I know, I know, I’m such a grandma, but I felt similarities. We humans start young. He will build habits, make decisions and hopefully, be creative (as you say, it is excellent for reducint stress.) Thanks for your patience on this one, lol.

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    1. I love this, Melanie!! Your enthusiasm is so palpable and endearing!! 🙂 Such a great point too — because babies need so much sleep to support all that they learn. And then you add how our brain consolidates the info when we sleep, it makes it even more on point!! Thanks for the great comment — as always!!

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  15. Thanks for the great advice, Wynne! And I love how you tied your hike into the message. “Growth takes energy and we need some rest.” So true and a good reminder doesn’t hurt. I’m wondering how the kids and Cooper liked the hike. 🥰

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  16. Tsk, tsk, tsk, rookie, rookie mistake Wynne. Ha, ha. Oh my goodness, you had me laughing. Here’s me in the same situation. As I documented recently, I lied to my kids. “Look the dear.” And when that didn’t work, I said “don’t make me turn this car around” and used statements like “suck it up.” And those comments were just to myself. Ha, ha. Great advice Wynne.

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  18. Congrats on a great start to the school year, Wynne – a healthy appetite, finding rest through creativity, and even feeling pooped at 9:45 are all signs of a productive positive start!

    Your mountain guide said it best – rest is so important and is part of the climb in life. Such wisdom I wish more people, including myself, could practice. But the pressures of the grind butts up against that conventional wisdom.

    Creativity definitely helps the mind focus and lower the cortisol level. I’m glad Miss O has found crocheting to bring that outlet for her!

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  19. This post reminds me of burnout. If we go at anything for too long without variety and proper rest, we tend to give up easier because we can’t keep up that pace, whatever the pursuit.

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  20. great advice and a reminder to enjoy the day, the moment. we all need breaks and a chance to recharge and renew. i know that sometimes i get so caught up in projects and helping others,that i neglect my own peace.and wear myself out. ‘ve gotten better about taking breaks and making time for me, and saying no when i need to, and it’s good for me, and for all, really.

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