The Hard Break

A Break is Just What Your Portfolio Needs

When World War I started, Britain suspended all the existing labor laws that had been put in place to protect workers. The country was at war and needed the highest level of production possible. The British formed a government commission to determine how to increase the production of weapons and munitions. That commission’s recommendations are as shocking today as they probably were back then.

The commission concluded that workers need to work less, not more.

This little story is from my book: The Hard Break: The Case for a 24/6 Lifestyle. The book makes the case that taking a hard break from work and technology at least one day a week will not only make you healthier and happier, but more productive, creative and ultimately more money.

After spending almost 15 years taking a Sabbath from work every Friday night to Saturday night, I can tell you it is the best thing I do all week. I spent three and half years researching and writing a book about it. You can find a copy here: The Hard Break on Amazon.

There are over 200 footnotes in the book, and countless stories, but today I ask you this: How can you compete in the stock market these days? Is it about consuming more information, being more plugged in? With computers, algorithms and a connected world like never before, it is very unlikely this is how you will outperform.

Your best shot at outperformance is by being more creative and innovative, not by consuming more information. And how can you be more creative and innovative? By giving your brain a break.

There is an area of the brain that neurologists call the default mode network, which uses downtime from activity to try to make sense of what the brain has recently learned. This part of the brain considers problems, patterns and memories – all while we think we are not doing anything. Creative people in particular have a more active default mode network that others.

Several studies have shown that simple daydreaming helps you solve tough problems, form new memories, learn new languages, and improve overall performance.

My Sabbath practice helped me to pursue the idea to start buying foreclosed homes in 2009 even though people thought I was crazy. And it enabled me to survive the ups and downs of the financial crisis and growing a business ten times in one year and many other ups and downs of my personal and business life. And during this mind-bending year that is 2020, I’m here to argue that a regular scheduled break is more important than ever, especially to your mental health.

So, this Labor Day weekend, do yourself a favor and take a break from email, your phone, the market, and even Twitter (I say this even as a shareholder). Your brain and ultimately your portfolio will thank you.