This Scientist Says Rest Is Key to Your Best Work

Dr. Natalie Nixon has worked every type of job imaginable, from serving fried chicken at Roy Rogers at 16 to teaching middle school to now helping companies solve creative problems. That journey taught her something powerful about how we work.

After researching productivity for her book on human-centered work practices, Nixon discovered that rest isn't just nice to have. It's essential for producing our best work, right alongside fair pay and reasonable hours.

Nixon calls her approach the MTR system, which stands for Move, Think, Rest. The insight is simple but revolutionary: when we cultivate our work instead of just grinding it out, we make time for ideas to develop naturally and value going slow as much as going fast.

She recently designed what she calls a "microretreat" for herself using three reflection prompts. Each takes just 20 minutes, and she's encouraging everyone to try them this Labor Day weekend.

The first exercise asks you to look back 20 years, then 5 years, and describe where you were physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. When Nixon did this, she remembered being heartbroken and unhappy at work 20 years ago, but thrilled to be traveling the world. Five years ago at 50, she was married, running her own business, and completely sure of herself.

The second prompt she calls "Big Breaks" or "It Just Takes One." You list 10 major breaks in your personal and professional life, which helps you see how small moments create exponential change. One introduction, one email, one decision to show up can open massive opportunities.

Nixon says teams can even do the Big Breaks exercise together after the holiday weekend. Reflecting on organizational wins can build serious momentum heading into the final quarter of the year.

Why This Inspires

The labor movement of the 1880s fought hard to establish rest as a worker's right, not a luxury. Nixon's research confirms what those early organizers knew: we're not machines built to produce constantly.

Her invitation to pause, reflect, and dream isn't about being lazy. It's about honoring the fact that meaningful work requires space to breathe, and that our best ideas often come when we stop pushing so hard.

This Labor Day weekend, giving yourself permission to slow down isn't indulgent. It's strategic.