Rest Summary

Summary of Rest Book by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

Name: Rest
Rating: 4.4 (721 reviews)
Author: Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

4.4 . 721 reviews

Short summary

No one needs to sell us on to the importance of doing meaningful work. We work so we can earn an income and live rich and full lives. We don’t even mind overworking to achieve the “rich and full” lives we aspire to. But how do we perceive rest? Do we see it as an obstacle to doing meaningful work? Or as a useful inconvenience, we should do without as much as possible? What if the truth is rest increases our ability to do meaningful work, and so we should be mindful and deliberate in taking it? This is the thrust of Alex Soojung-Kim Pang's argument, in this book. Looking at different forms of rest, from sleep to vacation, Silicon Valley futurist and business consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang dispels the myth that the harder we work, the better the outcome. He combines rigorous scientific research with a rich array of examples of writers, painters, and thinkers — from Darwin to Stephen King — to challenge our tendency to see work and relaxation as antithetical.

17 min

9 key points

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Table of content

Summary of Rest
About the author
What is Rest about?
Who should read Rest
Topics in Rest

first key point

The lives of history’s most creative figures show we don’t have to work eighty hours every week to succeed in our lives’ work

Listen the first key point

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If sleep doesn’t serve some vital function, it is the biggest mistake evolution ever made. ~ Allan Rechtschaffen

The most productive people in the history of mankind organized their lives around the work they did. They lived lives that were full and memorable and accomplished important work by working only a few planned hours in the day and rested.

Charles Darwin published 19 books in his lifetime, inclusive of technical volumes on climbing plants and barnacles; as well as the “Descent of Man” and “The Origin of Species;” working for an average of only four and a half hours every day.

John Lubbock, successful British author of 29 books, parliamentarian for more than 30 years, scientist (he invented the ant farm), pioneering archaeologist, banker, and Baron accomplished all of his life’s work by putting in only a few hours of work every day.

In the 1950s, two psychology professors of the Illinois Institute of Technology, Raymond Van Zelst, and Willard Kerr, carried out a study of their colleagues' work habits and schedules and compared these with the number of articles each produced. Their research showed that the most prolific academicians did quality work for between 10 to 20 hours every week. Those who spent 35 hours a week working were half as productive as them; while those who spent up to 60 hours a week were the least productive. Overall, the data showed that on average, 4 to 6 hours daily of high quality, “deliberate” work was what anyone needed to be productive.

Deliberate work has four important attributes. It is focused, it requires sticking to a routine, it can only be sustained for so many hours in the day, day after day; and it is complemented by deliberate rest; deliberate rest being made up of lots of breaks in between work, and plenty of sleep after work.

Deliberate rest is important because some of our most creative work happens when we take the kinds of breaks that allow our unconscious minds to keep plugging away at a problem even as we rest.

second key point

We are most productive if we rise up early in the morning, every day, to work, and create a routine around our work which we follow consistently

Scott Adams, who draws the popular Dilbert comic strip, wakes up by 5:00 a.m., heads to his kitchen to pick up a cup of coffee and a protein bar, and settles into his home office by 5:10 a.m. to work ― draw a couple of comic strips, write up blog posts, tweet, read and reply to emails and do some paperwork ― for four hours. Around lunchtime, he heads out to his gym to workout. On this schedule, which he has kept for 30 years, he has succeeded in syndicating Dilbert in 2,000 newspapers in 65 countries and in 25 languages and has written 14 books in all ― 5 on the subject of cartoons, and 9 nonfiction.

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third key point

Walking can unleash unexpected insights on us if we have had long periods of preparation and incubation

fourth key point

Afternoon naps, right after the lunch hour, for between 20 and 30 minutes, is physically and mentally restorative

fifth key point

Deliberately stopping work “in the middle of work,” when we know what to do next, will help us pace our work and make us more productive in the long run

sixth key point

Our night's sleep is good and restorative when we are able to sleep through the 5 distinct stages of sleep

seventh key point

When we “detach” periodically from our work by taking vacations, we are able to replenish our reserve of mental energy; and recover mentally and physically from the stress of the work we do

eighth key point

Exercising regularly will boost our intellectual abilities

ninth key point

Conclusion

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What is Rest about?

In this insightful book, the author explores the concept of rest and its profound impact on productivity. Drawing from scientific research and historical examples, the book reveals how taking deliberate breaks and embracing leisure can actually enhance our work performance. With practical tips and compelling anecdotes, the author challenges the prevailing notion of constant busyness, offering a refreshing perspective on achieving success through a balanced approach to work and rest.

Who should read Rest

Busy professionals seeking a more productive and fulfilling work-life balance.
Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to optimize their productivity.
Individuals interested in understanding the science behind rest and productivity.

Topics in Rest

Time Management Productivity Work-Life Balance Stress Management Self-Care Mental Health Wellness Leadership Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Self-Help for Women

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