- 1% Habits
- Posts
- Burned Out → Recharged: The Power of Breaks
Burned Out → Recharged: The Power of Breaks
S.J. Scott
September 04, 2025
In partnership with
Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!
This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction.
Let’s get to it.
— SPONSORED AD —
How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential
Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.
Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.
Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.
The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.
Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.
— END SPONSORED AD —
📈 Burned Out → Recharged: The Power of Breaks
I just got back from almost four weeks in Canada with my family. Before I left, I’ll be honest — I was completely burned out. I had been pushing hard on projects for months, and while I was “getting things done,” my energy, creativity, and motivation were running on fumes.
But now? After nearly a month of slowing down, exploring, and spending time with my kids, I feel recharged. I’m excited to get back to work and dive into projects that actually excite me.
It reminded me of something we often forget: breaks aren’t a luxury — they’re a strategy.
Taking time off isn’t wasted time. It’s an investment in your productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. And you don’t need a month-long vacation to get the benefits. With the right approach, you can build “strategic breaks” into your everyday life.
Here are four ways to do it:
1. Plan Breaks Before You Need Them
Most people wait until they’re completely exhausted before taking a break. By then, it’s too late — you’re already in burnout mode. The smarter approach is to schedule downtime in advance, just like you would a meeting or deadline.
How to make this actionable:
● Use your calendar as a guardrail. Block out “no work” weekends or afternoons in Google Calendar or Outlook. Treat these like immovable appointments.
● Try a daily planner that enforces balance. Tools like Sunsama or Motion help you design realistic daily schedules that include breaks.
● Automate reminders. Use Todoist or TickTick to set recurring tasks like “Take a 15-min walk at 3pm” or “Plan next weekend’s downtime.”
Action step: Look at the next 90 days. Block at least one full weekend where you commit to zero work-related tasks. Then add one daily micro-break (like a walk or stretch) to your task manager.
— SPONSORED AD —
Stay organized and achieve your goals with the Time Management & Productivity Printable Bundle.
Featuring 25+ tools like habit trackers, goal planners, time-blocking templates, and daily schedules in various increments, it’s designed to suit any lifestyle.
From project planning to energy audits, this bundle has everything you need to streamline your day and make progress effortlessly.
— END SPONSORED AD —
2. Change Your Environment
Sometimes the best way to rest your brain is to change your surroundings. A new environment gives you fresh input and helps you see things differently, even if it’s just for a few hours.
How to make this actionable:
● Find new work spots. Use WorkFrom or Croissant to discover coffee shops and coworking spaces nearby.
● Get outdoors. AllTrails is fantastic for finding local hikes, parks, or walking paths.
● Try “workations.” Platforms like Airbnb or Getaway make it easy to book a short-term rental where you can mix light work with a change of scenery.
● Micro-break trick: Even rearranging your home office or working from your backyard can reset your brain.
Action step: Pick one day in the next two weeks to work from a different location. Bonus: schedule a nature outing using AllTrails and treat it as a “mini-vacation.”
3. Disconnect to Reconnect
Breaks don’t work if you’re still tethered to your inbox or Slack. True rest requires unplugging. That’s when your brain shifts into recovery mode and you come back sharper.
How to make this actionable:
● Block distractions. Use Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, or RescueTime to limit digital noise.
● Gamify unplugging. Forest grows virtual trees while you focus, making it fun to stay off your phone.
● Create device-free zones. Use a physical tool like a Phone Jail or a charging station outside the bedroom.
● Leverage “focus modes.” Both iOS and Android have built-in “Focus” or “Do Not Disturb” settings you can schedule automatically.
Action step: Try a “digital sunset” for one week — no devices after 7pm. Use that time for reading, journaling, or connecting with family. Track your screen time before and after to see the difference.
4. Use Breaks to Refocus
Rest isn’t just about collapsing on the couch. The best breaks also give you clarity. They help you step back and ask: What projects actually excite me? What can I let go of?
How to make this actionable:
● Journal your reflections. Use Notion, Evernote, or even a simple notebook to jot down insights during downtime.
● Do a “project audit.” In Trello or ClickUp, list all your current commitments. Mark which ones energize you and which ones drain you.
● Set new priorities. Tools like MindMeister (for mind mapping) can help you visualize where to focus next.
Action step: During your next break, take 30 minutes to do a project audit. Write down three projects that energize you and one or two you could pause or drop.
Final Thoughts on Taking Breaks
The lesson from my trip is simple: breaks aren’t wasted time. They’re what allow you to come back stronger, sharper, and more motivated.
I came back from Canada with new energy and a clearer sense of what I want to work on. You can get the same benefits by planning your own strategic breaks — whether it’s a weekend off, a day in a new environment, or even just a nightly digital sunset.
The key is to be intentional: don’t wait until you’re burned out. Build breaks into your life now, and watch how much more productive (and happier) you become.
Talk soon,
Steve
☕ Techpresso: Techpresso gives you a daily rundown of what's happening in tech and what you shouldn't miss. Read by 300,000+ professionals from Google, Apple, OpenAI...
🎯 How Brands Win: Discover the strategies behind iconic brands. Get their famous "7 Positioning Sins That Cost B2B Brands Millions" guide when you join.
💵 MaxDividends: High Yield & Dividend Growth Stocks worth Investing In to Boost Your Passive Income for Living Off Dividends and Retire Early. 25,000+ constant readers!
🗂️ The Resource Roundup
💤 Catching Up on Sleep on Weekends May Lower Heart Disease Risk by Up to 20%: New research suggests that making up for lost sleep on weekends can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, highlighting the importance of rest for long-term health.
⏳ How to Alter the Passage of Time to Feel Fast or Slow: Practical tips for intentionally shaping your perception of time, whether you want moments to stretch or fly by.
🐢 Does Progress Seem Slower When You Constantly Check on It?: A reflection on how obsessively measuring progress can make it feel like you’re moving slower, and why patience matters.