The anti-hustle schedule

Tweets and LinkedIn posts that glorify the “grind” and the “hustle” have become just a bit too common, in our opinion. You may have even seen people in your network share detailed schedules so intense they’re almost hard to believe: waking up at an ungodly hour and diving right into checking email; a daily routine of doing more work after the kids go to bed or immediately after dinner; exercising three times per day in between five-hour meeting blocks.

Meanwhile, the things that are essential to boosting your well-being — spending time with your family and friends; going for a walk, jog, or bike ride outside; tinkering with a side project or hobby — are relegated to fleeting, 15-minute increments.

Schedules that revolve around hustling inevitably lead to a level of burnout that is tough to come back from. We know you have a lot to do, both in and out of work, and that it all feels important. But let’s start normalizing schedules and to-do lists that prioritize healthy boundaries. Rest can be the most productive thing you plan for today.

So take a few deep breaths, check in with yourself, then try adding the following items to your to-do list this week.