In a captivating conversation, Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, an author and director at 4 Day Week Global, dives into the transformative power of rest. He argues that rest isn't just a luxury but essential for creativity and productivity. They discuss the detrimental effects of burnout and the importance of sabbaticals for personal growth. Pang also highlights innovative ways to reclaim time and integrate meaningful breaks into daily life, reinforcing that true relaxation can lead to greater fulfillment and connection.
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insights INSIGHT
Rest as an Organizing Principle
Rest is a cornerstone concept in Western civilization, exemplified by the Sabbath.
It's not just a break but an organizing principle for life, emphasizing worship and structure.
insights INSIGHT
Rest and Creativity
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang's interest in rest stemmed from researching creativity's psychology.
Studying creators' work habits revealed the importance of leisure for subconscious problem-solving.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Darwin's Rest Routine
Charles Darwin's well-documented life provides insights into rest and creativity.
His routine of work interspersed with gardening and walks demonstrates using both conscious and unconscious creative muscles.
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Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Rest
Why You Get More Done When You Work Less
Alex Soojung Kim-Pang
In 'Rest,' Alex Soojung-Kim Pang challenges the myth that harder work leads to better outcomes. He combines scientific research with historical examples of writers, painters, and thinkers to demonstrate the importance of 'deliberate rest' in enhancing productivity and creativity. The book emphasizes the need to treat rest as an active and essential part of a balanced life, highlighting practices such as daily naps, long walks, and deep play to achieve fulfillment and success.
This new season of How To is a collection of our favorite episodes from past seasons—a best-of series focused on slowing down, making space, and finding meaning in our hectic lives. This episode, from our fifth season, called How to Keep Time, features host Ian Bogost in conversation with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, the author of several books on rest and a director at 4 Day Week Global. The two explore how varied understandings of rest can affect our ability to gain real benefits from it. Write to us at howtopodcast@theatlantic.com.
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