Why You Must Recharge Before a Big Workload
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years—whether in business, life, or even preparing for something like Survivor—it’s this:
You better recharge before a big workload…
or that workload will chew you up.
I just came off a 10-day cruise. Great trip. Good food, good people, and let’s be honest… probably a little too much of everything.
By the time I stepped off that ship, I had gained 5 pounds.
Now here’s the part most people overlook.
In just 3 days… I dropped 2 of those pounds.
That tells me something important:
It wasn’t just about the food.
It was about the reset.
What It Means to Recharge Before a Big Workload
We tend to think recharging is about doing nothing.
It’s not.
It’s about stepping away long enough to come back sharper.
Clearer.
More focused.
That cruise wasn’t just a vacation—it was a reset for both the body and the mind.
And now that I’m back?
I feel it.
More energy.
More clarity.
More drive.
That’s what happens when you recharge before a big workload instead of trying to push through burnout.
Why Companies Push Employees to Recharge Before a Big Workload
Over the years, I’ve seen two very different approaches in the workplace.
Some companies allow employees to bank PTO and cash it out later.
Others?
They make you take the time off.
And I’ll be honest—that second group understands something the first one doesn’t.
You can’t run at full speed forever.
You might think you can.
You might even prove it for a while.
But eventually…
your decision-making slows down.
your patience gets shorter.
your performance drops.
The best companies know this.
They don’t just allow rest.
They require you to recharge before a big workload hits.
My Experience: Recharge vs. Push Through
After 27 years in leadership roles, managing teams, supply chains, and high-pressure situations, I’ve seen both sides.
I’ve seen people burn themselves out chasing more.
And I’ve seen people step away, recharge, and come back better than ever.
If you’re asking me which one wins long term…
It’s not even close.
The ones who recharge last longer.
Think clearer.
Lead better.
And they enjoy the journey a whole lot more.
Physical Reset Matters More Than You Think
Let’s go back to that 5 pounds.
That wasn’t just vacation weight.
That was proof of what happens when routine disappears.
But dropping 2 pounds in 3 days?
That’s proof the body wants to get back to balance.
Same goes for your mind.
Give it rest… it resets faster than you think.
Deny it rest… it slowly breaks down.
That’s why recharging before a big workload isn’t optional.
It’s strategy.
Final Thoughts: Recharge Before You Run Again
Here’s the reality:
We all have big pushes in life.
Projects.
Careers.
Goals.
Dreams.
And the instinct is always the same—just keep going.
But the smarter move?
Step back.
Recharge.
Then go.
Because when you do…
you’re not just working harder.
You’re working better.
Let Me Ask You This…
What has your experience been?
Do you prefer:
➡️ Banking PTO and cashing it out later?
➡️ Or being required to take time off and recharge?
There’s no right answer—but there is a better long-term strategy.
I’m curious where you land.