The Rest Ethic for Creatives and High Performers
A mandate to staying inspired, productive, and resilient in these times
A precept is a rule intended to guide our behavior or thoughts. Precepts shape our concepts, ideologies, belief systems, philosophies, and ultimately, our lifestyle. To understand the lifestyle we currently live, we must examine the precept that drives it. One of the most influential precepts in our culture is that of a “work ethic.”
“Work ethic” is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as the principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or deserving of reward. The term implies a high moral standard, essentially meaning that to have a strong work ethic is to be a person of good moral character. This principle has historically driven our view of what makes someone a “good” person. Originally rooted in 17th- and 18th-century Protestant theology, the concept valued hard work as morally and spiritually significant. Over time, this idea evolved from devotion to God to devotion to a job. In a capitalist society, you can see how this shift might be exploited (hello, slavery!!).
Let’s be clear: work is good, and hard work has its benefits. But I believe it’s time to examine the precept of “work ethic” and its impact on us. Too often, its distortion—especially in America—has rewarded selfish ambition, greed, and results at any cost. And, due to the word’s origins, we tend to label this as “good.”
My main concern with “work ethic” as devotion to hard work is that it’s subjective. It has fostered a culture of busyness that aims to appear “good” without regard for its effects. And this mindset mostly benefits companies. Policies like “unlimited vacation” or values like “freedom and responsibility” (popularized by Netflix) attempt to address this but rarely touch the core issue.
Now, I’m not here to convince you that work ethic is unimportant—many of us grew up with well-meaning advice from parents and hard-working family members who taught us about the importance of it, and I respect that. Instead, I’ll assume you already have a solid work ethic: you know the importance of showing up, doing your job, and delivering results.
What I hope to change your thinking about is the need for a rest ethic. If “work ethic” began as devotion to God but shifted to devotion to our jobs (or even idolatry, where we worship job offers, titles and climb toward the American Dream), then “rest ethic” brings us back to the original intent of work ethic. It’s a countercultural stance that honors God through work but also through rest, as modeled in Genesis 2:2. Rest on the seventh day is meant to revere God and His creations: the planet, its creatures, and YOU as a creator. Here, “rest” goes beyond physical recovery to encompass mental, sensory, creative, emotional, social, and spiritual rest.
The benefits of these types of rest are extensive, but three stand out that will most impact you as a creative leader:
Innovation – Now, more than ever, we need to think creatively about the future. We need space to imagine who we’re becoming and how to get there. Trust in past systems is waning; it’s time to innovate.
Focus – We’re constantly exposed to information. With tools like Google and ChatGPT, we can access knowledge on anything. Radical focus helps us sift through what’s relevant to our work and purpose, so we can curate what best serves those we aim to impact.
Resilience – We’re in this for the long haul (whatever “long” means). While technology has sped things up, great things still take time. Building something lasting requires resilience. Without a rest ethic, burnout is inevitable. Ask yourself: can you keep up this pace for another 7 to 10 years? If not, you need a REST ETHIC.
So, if you’ve been living by a work ethic alone, it’s time to consider what a rest ethic could add to your life. Imagine what would be possible with space to recharge, recalibrate, and realign your purpose. Rest isn’t just an escape from work; it’s a practice that fuels your creativity, focus, and resilience for the long game.
Our world rewards the hustle, but real fulfillment and sustainable success come from the balance we create for ourselves and others. So let’s move beyond just a work ethic. Let’s cultivate a rest ethic that recharges us and helps us show up as our best, most creative selves. Because as leaders during these times, a rest ethic that helps us do our best work is no longer optional, it’s mandatory.
In community,
Kevin