Biblical Wealth Wisdom

Sabbathpreneurship: Thriving in Business Through Strategic Rest

• Biblical Wealth Wisdom • Episode 12

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Unlock the secret to thriving in business without sacrificing your peace of mind! Ever wondered if the relentless hustle is truly the only way to succeed? Join us as we explore the transformative concept of "Sabbathpreneurship," where we challenge the prevailing hustle culture with an approach that values strategic rest. We dive into how incorporating a day of rest, akin to the biblical Sabbath, can combat burnout and rejuvenate your entrepreneurial spirit. Learn how intentional disengagement and setting boundaries can lead to renewed focus, creativity, and ultimately, business growth, all while aligning your work with deeper personal values.

Our discussion brings to light inspiring examples like Jason Fried's four-day work week at Basecamp, proving that cutting unnecessary tasks can significantly boost productivity. Discover actionable strategies for achieving a more intentional work-life balance, such as designating no-meeting days and setting aside focused work time. This conversation challenges the societal pressure to constantly hustle, offering instead a sustainable rhythm of work and rest that paves the way for personal fulfillment and professional success. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking peace or striving for business excellence, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and integrate these life-changing principles.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so entrepreneurs, let's talk burnout. You know that feeling of constantly being on like always pushing yourself to the limit and you end up just feeling totally fried. I think we've all been there. You sent in some really interesting stuff about Sabbathpreneurship. Basically, it says that taking a day of rest kind of like you know what they talk about in the Bible can help your business grow, which sounds kind of crazy in our like hustle obsessed world, right?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's definitely a thought-provoking idea. It challenges that always-on mentality that, honestly, so many entrepreneurs struggle with. And you know it's not just some anecdotal thing. There's this recent Gallup study. It found that entrepreneurs actually experience burnout at a rate 20% higher than those working traditional jobs.

Speaker 1:

Whoa, 20% higher. That's huge. No wonder it seems like every other entrepreneur I talk to is like completely stressed out.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

So how does this whole Sabbath thing play into it? I'll be honest, I'm a little fuzzy on the details myself.

Speaker 2:

Well, the whole concept is rooted in that biblical creation story in Genesis. So you know, god creates the world in six days and then boom rests on the seventh, blesses it, makes it holy the whole bit. It sets up this rhythm of work and rest right from the start, and it's presented as this divine pattern, you know, not just like a casual. Hey, maybe try this sometime. Suggestion.

Speaker 1:

Right, right, like the whole, remember the Sabbath and keep it holy thing from the Ten Commandments. But to be totally honest, that always felt to me like more of a religious rule than you know, something actually relevant to running a business, especially in the 21st century.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and that's a super common misconception. I see the text we're looking at also brings up something Jesus said he was all the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, meaning it's not about like rigid rules or being super religious. It's about realizing that rest is like inherently beneficial to us as humans.

Speaker 1:

Oh, interesting. So less about you know following a bunch of rules and more about intentionally building rest in because it's actually good for us. That's a new way to think about it. You know, as an entrepreneur myself, I can get so caught up in the day today grind that honestly. I do forget to take a break. But I'm curious how does taking a whole day off help a business grow? Isn't time money?

Speaker 2:

That's the million dollar question, right, and the answer really comes down to understanding what strategic rest is. We're not talking about just being lazy or, you know, totally unproductive. It's about choosing to step away from work so you can come back renewed with a fresh perspective. Think of it like hitting the reset button, not the off switch.

Speaker 1:

Okay, okay, I like where this is going, but I mean he's some specifics. How does stepping away, you know, for a whole day actually lead to a business like growing?

Speaker 2:

Well, it comes down to making space. Making space for, you know, those essential things that, if we're being honest, often get neglected when we're constantly in go mode, things like strategic thinking, taking time to reflect, really tapping into our creativity.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, I get that. It's like when you're so in the weeds, you know, so focused on the tiny details, that you lose sight of the big picture. You need that distance, that space, to really see clearly and come up with new ideas. But how do you actually carve out that time? You know, when you're running a business?

Speaker 2:

That's where those principles of Sabbathpreneurship come in. They're like a framework for figuring out how to integrate rest strategically, so you're not sacrificing productivity, you know.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so walk me through those principles. What are we talking about here?

Speaker 2:

So one of the key principles is this idea of intentional disengagement, and we're talking about really and truly disconnecting from work physically and mentally for a good chunk of time. That could be a full day, like you know, a traditional Sabbath, or even just a set block of time where you're not on your phone, not checking emails, just letting your mind decompress.

Speaker 1:

Gotcha. So not just shutting down your laptop at 5 pm and calling it a day like actively deciding work. Brain is off, but realistically, how is that even doable for entrepreneurs? We're always on. What about those like late night aha moments or clients who need something urgently?

Speaker 2:

Oh, those are definitely valid concerns, and that's where this whole concept of boundaries is super important, which is another key principle, by the way, but we'll we'll dive into that more in a bit. It's about setting like realistic expectations, both for yourself and for your clients, and creating boundaries that you know are actually healthy and allow for both work and rest.

Speaker 1:

Right yeah, setting boundaries, that is. That is a big one for me. Definitely need to work on that. But I see how it's like essential for protecting that time you set aside for yourself to rest, to recharge. It's like saying, nope, this time is non-negotiable.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. And that actually ties right into another important principle proactive planning. Because let's be real, if you're thinking, okay, I want to take a day off every week, or even just a few hours, you can't just wing it right. You have to actually plan for it, put it in your calendar, just like you would an important meeting, and let your clients know ahead of time that you'll be offline.

Speaker 1:

Proactive planning yeah, Got it, Definitely not like my biggest strength, but I'm working on it. It's like that saying if you fail to plan, you plan to fail right.

Speaker 2:

But you know, let's be real for a second.

Speaker 1:

There are some clients out there're actually able to be more present, more on top of your game when you are working, and ultimately that benefits them too, right? You're right Like I'm taking a break now so I can be at my best for you later. It's about making it a positive thing, a proactive choice, not a limitation. But what about those like truly urgent situations? Those happen, they're always going to be exceptions.

Speaker 2:

Oh, for sure, there are always exceptions, but having those clear boundaries in place beforehand really helps you figure out what sure things are handled, even when you're not on. But let's be honest, sometimes the biggest obstacle is, you know us.

Speaker 1:

We feel guilty, like we're somehow falling behind if we're not constantly working. How do we get over that?

Speaker 2:

That's where this idea of reframing comes in. The text talks about reframing rest as an investment, not a loss. Think about it when you prioritize rest, you're investing in yourself, your well-being, your creativity and, ultimately, the long-term success of your business.

Speaker 1:

Ooh, I like that. It's not about like losing a day of work. It's about gaining a day to think clearly, regain your focus, come back with tons of energy and investment. Not a luxury, love it. But also, you know, easier said than done right, resting like actually disengaging it can be hard.

Speaker 2:

Oh, absolutely. It takes practice, especially in a culture obsessed with being busy all the time. The text even gives a few suggestions for, like how to actually make the most of your Sabbath time, because it's not just about, you know, sitting on the couch all day.

Speaker 1:

Wait, so hold on. It's not about binge watching Netflix. Yeah, what are we supposed to be doing during this time? Give me the good stuff.

Speaker 2:

Think about activities that actually rejuvenate you. You know Could be spending time in nature, doing a hobby you love, catching up with friends and family or, honestly, even just doing absolutely nothing. The key is that it should be something that nourishes you. The key is that it should be something that nourishes you your mind, body, soul so you can go back to work feeling refreshed and inspired.

Speaker 1:

So it's about like filling your cup so you have something to pour back into your work.

Speaker 2:

Okay, that makes total sense, but let's get back to the business side of things for a sec. We talked a little bit about some research earlier, but are there like real businesses out there actually using these Sabbath principles successfully?

Speaker 1:

Absolutely. There's a study from the University of Chicago and they found that companies with strong work-life balance policies, including things like protected time off, saw much higher employee engagement and productivity, plus way lower turnover.

Speaker 2:

Wow. So it's not just good for the individual, it's good for the whole company culture and the bottom line. That's pretty convincing evidence. But I bet there are some skeptical listeners out there thinking OK, that's great for big companies with tons of resources, but what about, you know, small businesses, solopreneurs? Is this even realistic? It totally is. In fact, the text argues that it might be even more crucial for small business owners and solopreneurs to prioritize rest. Think about it. You're wearing all the hats dealing with all the demands. You need those breaks even more.

Speaker 1:

So it's even more important for us solopreneurs to like build in those boundaries, those rest periods. It's about working smarter, not harder.

Speaker 2:

Right, 100%. And you know, the text actually highlights a bunch of examples of entrepreneurs who are doing this, who've made it work, like big and small businesses. There's this guy, Jason Freed. He's the CEO of Basecamp.

Speaker 1:

Oh yeah, yeah, I've heard of Basecamp. What's their deal?

Speaker 2:

So Freed, he's like really big on work-life balance and he actually made a company-wide policy. They do four-day work weeks, but only in the summer do four-day work weeks, but only in the summer.

Speaker 1:

Wait, hold up A four-day work week. That sounds kind of unbelievable. But how does that even function? Do they just cram five days of work into four?

Speaker 2:

It's not about cramming. Actually, what they found was by shortening the week, they got rid of a ton of unnecessary stuff like meetings that could have been emails, busy work, all that, and people were actually more focused, more productive during those four days.

Speaker 1:

Wow. So it's about like less is more in a way that changes things, but I mean realistically not every business can just be like all right, everyone four day work week now.

Speaker 2:

Oh, for sure, For sure. It's about, like we were saying, finding what works for you. But the takeaway is even small tweaks can make a difference. Blocking out a couple hours a week where you're not interrupted, maybe having one day where no one's allowed to schedule a meeting Little things add up.

Speaker 1:

Okay, yeah, those are super practical. Anyone can do that, no matter what kind of business they're running. We spend a lot of time on how this benefits your business the practical stuff but the text mentions this whole spiritual side too, especially for entrepreneurs who are Christians. What's the connection there?

Speaker 2:

Right, it's a good point. The text makes it clear this Sabbathpreneurship thing it's not just about like a productivity hack. It's deeper than that. It's about your work, lining up with your values, like finding real meaning in what you do. For Christian entrepreneurs, the Sabbath is kind of a reminder that their work, it's not their whole identity, you know.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah. Keeping things in perspective, realizing there's more to life than just working all the time.

Speaker 2:

Exactly it's about like connecting with something bigger than yourself and realizing that real rest, true rest, it comes from letting go, trusting in something beyond like just your own effort.

Speaker 1:

That's a really interesting way to look at it. This whole conversation has really got me thinking. It's so easy to get caught in that trap. You know the hustle, feeling like you always got to be on pushing for more. But what if there's like a different way?

Speaker 2:

Right. What if, instead of asking can I afford to rest, we flip the script Can I afford not to? What could be possible in our businesses, our lives, if we actually embrace this rhythm of work and rest?

Speaker 1:

Man, that is a question I don't know about you, but I'm kind of feeling fired up to like take a step back really, look at what's important and figure out how to fit these Sabbath principles into my own life, my business.

Speaker 2:

That's what it's all about. It's about figuring out that rhythm, that sustainable way of living and working so you can thrive, and it's not about doing less. It's about figuring out that rhythm, that sustainable way of living and working so you can thrive, and it's not about doing less. It's about doing it with like intention, with purpose and a whole lot more peace.

Speaker 1:

I like that a lot and, on that note, maybe we'll leave our listeners with this thought what, if just maybe, rest is actually the key, not the heisel, but the rest to unlocking your real potential. So it's like more important for us solopreneurs to, you know, build in those boundaries, those rest periods. Work smarter, not harder, right.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, and the text actually highlights some examples of entrepreneurs, people who are actually doing this, like there are big businesses, small businesses. One example they gave is Jason Freed. He's he's the CEO of Basecamp.

Speaker 1:

Oh yeah, I've heard of them. Basecamp.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

What's their story? So, Freed is like a big proponent of you know, work-life balance. He actually implemented this company-wide policy. They do four-day work weeks, but only during the summer months. Whoa hold on A four-day work week. That just sounds I don't know too good to be true. How does that even like? How does that work? Do they just cram five days of work into four?

Speaker 2:

Not really. No See, they found that by making the work week shorter they actually got rid of a lot of fluff Meetings that could have been emails, you know busy work, stuff like that and get this. People were more focused, way more productive during those four days.

Speaker 1:

Huh, so less is more. Huh, that's pretty cool, but realistically not everyone can just flip a switch and be like all right, everyone. Four-day work week.

Speaker 2:

True, true, it's all about finding what works for you, for your business. The point is, even small changes can make a difference. Block off a couple hours each week just for focused work, no interruptions. Maybe designate one day a week as a no-meeting day.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, ok, those are actionable tips, no matter what your business is, how big or small. We've talked a lot about the like, tangible benefits, the practical side of this whole Sabbath preneurship thing, but the text mentions the spiritual aspect too, especially for, you know, entrepreneurs who are Christians. What's the connection there?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, the text emphasizes that this isn't just about like some productivity hack, you know. It's about like your work, aligning with what you believe, what's important to you, finding a deeper meaning in what you do. And for Christian entrepreneurs, the Sabbath is like this reminder. It reminds them that their work, their business, it's not like their whole identity. So it's about keeping things in perspective, remembering there's more to life than just you know the constant grind. Yeah, exactly, it's about connecting with something bigger than yourself and realizing that true rest. It comes from letting go, trusting in you know something beyond just your own effort.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's a really powerful way to look at it. You know there's a whole conversation. It really makes you think it's so easy to get sucked in. You know the hustle got to be on all the time, striving, pushing for more, but maybe there's like a better way.

Speaker 2:

Right. What if, instead of can I afford to rest, it was can I afford not to? What amazing things would be possible, you know, in our businesses, in our lives, if we actually lived by this rhythm work and rest.

Speaker 1:

Man, that's a good question. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling really inspired now to like to hit pause, reevaluate what's important and actually figure out how to bring these Sabbath principles into my own life, you know, and my business too.

Speaker 2:

That's awesome. That's what we want Right Finding that rhythm, a way to live and work that's sustainable, that lets you thrive. And it's not about doing less, it's about doing it with intention, with purpose. Yeah, and a whole lot more peace.

Speaker 1:

Yes, a thousand times, yes, yeah. Well said, and on that note, I guess that's our show for today. I think we