Text your thoughts and questions! We often think rest is something we earn after we've worked hard enough. We push through exhaustion, tell ourselves we'll slow down later, and believe that getting more done is the key to feeling better. But what if we've been thinking about rest all wrong? This week, in episode 323 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, we're revisiting one of our most impactful conversations with Gary Ware, founder of Breakthrough Play, keynote speaker, certified coach, and bestselling author of Playful Rebellion. As part of our summer series on energy, stress, and nervous system regulation, this timely re-release explores why rest is essential—not as a reward for productivity, but as the foundation that makes sustainable productivity possible. Gary Ware is the founder of Breakthrough Play, a keynote speaker, certified coach, and the bestselling author of Playful Rebellion. Through applied improvisation, positive psychology, and the science of play, Gary helps individuals and organizations reduce stress, strengthen communication, spark creativity, and build more sustainable ways of working. His mission is to help people challenge the belief that productivity requires constant hustle and instead embrace play and rest as powerful tools for greater impact, innovation, and well-being. In this conversation, Gary introduces three distinct types of rest—macro, micro, and meso—and explains how each one helps reduce stress, restore creativity, and support your energy in different ways. He also shares why play isn't childish, why entrepreneurs often resist rest the most, and how small shifts can dramatically improve your focus, well-being, and impact. Key Takeaways: Rest isn't something you earn. It's something that allows you to do your best work.Chronic stress keeps your brain in fight, flight, or freeze mode, reducing creativity, empathy, and clear thinking.Better sleep isn't always about getting more hours. Improving the quality of your sleep can make a significant difference.A consistent wind-down routine helps your body transition into restorative sleep.Macro rest focuses on deep restoration through quality sleep and recovery.Micro rest consists of short five-minute breaks throughout the day that help reset your brain and restore energy between tasks.Scrolling social media or checking email isn't true rest. Choose activities that genuinely recharge you instead.Meso rest means intentionally stepping away from work for several hours, a day, or longer to pursue hobbies, family time, or activities that bring joy.Hobbies aren't a luxury—they help your brain make creative connections and improve problem-solving.Play looks different for everyone. The goal isn't to do what others find fun, but to discover what genuinely restores and energizes you.Sustainable productivity begins with honoring your energy, not constantly pushing through exhaustion.Rest isn't the opposite of productivity—it's what makes productivity sustainable. When you give yourself permission to rest before you're completely depleted, you create space for greater creativity, better decisions, stronger relationships, and more meaningful work. What would change if you stopped trying to earn your rest and started treating it as one of your greatest strengths? Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways! Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/ Stop trying to fit into someone else’s productivity rules! Grab my free Productivity Toolkit, a collection of workbooks designed to help you explore how you work, uncover what truly matters to you, and create your very own energy-friendly systems. Get it here: www.positivelyproductive.com/plpkit CONNECT WITH GARY WARE: Website LinkedIn CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY: Facebook Instagram Resources Work with Lisa! LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Playful Rebellion: Maximize Workplace Success Through the Power of Play Episode 321: Why Fun and Play Belong in a Productive Life Episode 249: Five Energizing Habits to Make You More Productive Episode 172: Why the Simple Act of Pausing Will Make You More Productive Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr. Stuart Brown Primed to Perform by Neel Doshi & Lindsay McGregor (Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.) Book a Clarity Call Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3 Music by Ian and Jeff Zawrotny Start your own podcast with Buzzsprout! Request this Toolkit and other free resources at the Resources Page.
