I had a mentor once tell me I was looking at managing motivation and productivity all wrong.

I was a young, new leader trying to outwork everyone.

I didn’t take days off, no vacations—just 12-hour days.

I thought that was the difference between those who are successful and those who are not.

I asked this mentor how he managed time off, assuming he would confirm I was doing it right.

He told me he was just getting back from a month-long vacation.

I was honestly shocked, and I think it was clear from the look on my face.

Then he told me something that completely changed my outlook on time off:

Life isn’t a marathon.

It’s a series of sprints followed by extreme rest.

Maybe for you, that means three months of working your ass off and then taking a week to do absolutely nothing.

For others, it’s four days of work and three days of just enjoying family.

In my case, it’s two weeks in the Philippines—enjoying family, reading, and writing.

Don’t be an idiot.

Sprint, then take some time off when you’ve earned it.

You’ll thank me later.