When I present Overload (—>see last week’s A Peak Life newsletter) to clients, they almost always nod their heads and say:
“Yup, doing that one.”
“I’m definitely pushing myself to grow.”
“I constantly stretch myself and try hard things.”
And I always agree and respond with:
“I don’t doubt it. That’s a natural part of the ambitious person’s identity. Push, push, push. Stretch, stretch, stretch.”
But there’s another principle that HAS TO be married to the principle of Overload.
Restoration.
The third principle of a sports performance approach to leading a Peak Life.
So, today, you’ll learn:
- What is ‘Restoration,’
- Why it’s important, and
- How to start applying it.
What is the Restoration Principle?
Think of it this way:
Systems can’t repair, strengthen, or grow without rest, maintenance, and time to recover.
When you’re pushing your limits, you’re in the process of breaking something down. And when you’re overloading something with work, stress, or strain, that ‘something’ will need a period of time to restore itself.
In Sports Performance, this ensures something doesn’t suffer from exhaustion or overuse, causing injuries.
If we go back to the example of growing your bicep from the previous email: when you work out your bicep muscle, small micro tears begin to happen. And when you give it a chance to rest, it rebuilds itself and comes back stronger, larger, and strengthened.
That’s where the growth happens.
These two principles of Overload and Restoration work together to create: HEALTHY SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.
After 28+ years of working with top-tier humans, this principle is the most neglected. However, the best of the best, those with years of consistent levels of peak performance, know how to use ‘Restoration.’
I want to really drive this home. If I were with you right now, I’d grab you by the shoulders, look you in the eyes, and say:
“No, seriously. Do you REALLY understand that rest, recovery, and maintenance is a part of the equation of growth?”
You might nod. Like the hundreds of others, however, I’m not sure I’d believe you.
Why? Because we’re conditioned to think rest is a form of laziness. Or, that if we’re not actively focused on ‘doing something’ we’re unproductive.
Show me a burnt-out, stressed-out, or injured human, and I’ll show you someone who doesn’t appreciate the true nature of this principle.
The Benefits of Restoration
When Restoration is used properly in any area of your life, it:
- It provides recovery,
- Clears out the toxins,
- Increases the strength of the system,
- Provides the opportunity for creativity or innovation,
- And, much more.
How Do You Start Applying Restoration in Your Life
Anytime you’re trying to apply restoration into an area of your life, it comes down to a simple equation:
Effort + Recovery Time = Healthy Sustainable Growth
Effort = Overload
Recovery Time = Restoration
The key is to tweak that combination so it works for YOU constantly.
This is the fun part. Grab a pad and pen. Or open a note and start brainstorming areas of your life in which you feel the most strained, stressed, or challenged.
Then, devise ways to start building restoration in these areas.
For example, my wife Valerie was overloaded in the always-challenging part of raising three kids:
She’s usually a very happy, easy-going, and playful person. However, the last few years have had their challenges. When you’re the primary parent like Valerie is (the one that shuttles kids around, arranges play-dates, and handles liaising with the school), it’s a lot. Especially as she plays a massive role in our business.
When every week is a hamster wheel of the same thing, it’s easy to get burnt out.
From a sports performance approach, the ‘mom athlete identity’ was never getting off the racetrack for enough recovery.
So, we set up a rhythm where certain nights and weekend days were free from ‘mom’ duties.
The moment she knew she would be free, it gave her the space not to be overwhelmed. Because there would always be a container of time that was for her.
The mind and body are a fascinating system. If you think there’s no end to your stress in an area of life, the body can stay in fight or flight mode. But when you know the Overload is balanced with Restoration, it allows you to bring the best of yourself to the task at hand.
This is the power of playing with these principles as a tool to help you find opportunities to:
- Fix,
- Balance,
- Innovate,
- Strengthen, or
- Discover solutions to issues in your life.
The Next Level
Another simple exercise is to come up with your ‘Rejuvenation-5.’
These are five simple activities you know help to recharge you in your day. Here are some examples:
- A 20-minute walk,
- Chatting with a close friend,
- Taking a 20-minute nap or rest,
- A short workout to get the blood pumping,
- Taking a shower (who says they’re only for morning or evenings)
The key is to develop your ‘Restoration-5’ and then use them to help reset your system.
So many high achievers feel guilty planning small ‘Restoration events’ during the day. They treat rest like a mobile phone plan with rollover minutes—> “I’m saving up for a loooong vacation.”
Human systems just don’t work that way. Hell, machines don’t work that way either.
Sure, you had a long vacation, but rarely has life been restored properly.
If life is only about destinations, milestones, and achieving ‘the goal’…well…you’ve missed out on so much more.
Now, I’d love to hear what you come up with on YOUR list.
I’d love to curate some more ‘restoration’ activities others use. So send me an email and let me know what gives YOU energy during the day, week, or month.
Looking forward to sharing the fourth Sports Performance Principle next week!
Be Bold. Take Action. Leave a Mark.
Todd Herman
P.S. If someone forwarded you this article, you can subscribe to my weekly ‘A Peak Life’ newsletter below. Every week I’ll share one idea, framework, or perspective that will help you lead a life you’re excited for.