The Power of Coordinated Rest
Since our founding in late 2022, we have been intensely focused on building and growing the company. In the early stages, our primary focus was on delivering projects, supporting clients, and expanding our capabilities. Like many young companies, we rarely paused to think about rest or recovery. However, early on, we noticed something important:
When our team was truly rested, project delivery improved by 30 to 45 percent.
This was not just about vacation days recorded in an HR system; it was about the overall experience. It was about returning to work with a sharper focus, renewed creativity, and sustained energy.
However, creating genuine rest in a culture filled with passionate builders was not easy. In 2024, we introduced a flexible “Reset” period, allowing each team member two weeks off in the summer, in addition to our Christmas closure and paid vacation days. The idea was sound in theory, but failed in practice. People often felt guilty about leaving during busy periods, and coordinating time off around projects became a stressful task.
Rest became something employees had to negotiate rather than something they could enjoy.
Now, in 2025, we tried a new approach. Instead of letting each person decide when to take time off, we implemented a coordinated rest schedule. The office closes for one week after the Canada Day long weekend and again after Labour Day, in addition to our Christmas closure and three weeks of paid vacation. Clients were informed months in advance, and they supported the decision. With fixed dates, team members could plan without guilt or logistical headaches. During our first coordinated rest, some travelled abroad, others enjoyed staycations.
Having an entire week ensured genuine recovery.
The results after our first coordinated rest were striking. Energy levels surged, burnout symptoms declined, and productivity even increased despite a leaner team. Several team members noted it took three to four days to truly stop thinking about work.
What the Research Says
Our experience reflects what workplace and health studies have been showing for years:
Vacations improve health and longevity: A long-term study found that infrequent vacations were associated with a higher risk of heart-related illnesses, while regular vacationing was linked to better cardiovascular health and lower mortality in both men and women (Link 1, Link 2).
Vacations boost creativity: A Dutch study found employees generated more varied ideas after a three-week summer vacation, demonstrating increased cognitive flexibility (de Bloom et al., 2021).
Coordinated time off prevents backlog and guilt: Companies like LinkedIn and Bumble have adopted company-wide vacations to ensure employees can disconnect at the same time, reducing pressure to check in and fostering collective recovery (Condé Nast Traveler, 2022).
Rest as a Strategic Advantage
Coordinated rest eliminates the stress of planning around deadlines, removes the guilt associated with taking time away, and signals to employees that rest is part of the culture, not an exception. The payoff for the company is clear: a healthier, more engaged, and higher-performing team.
It is time for more companies to rethink rest.
Time off is not a sunk cost. It is an investment with measurable returns. Our own results showed that coordinated rest not only maintained productivity but also increased it. We created more products, closed more leads, and operated with greater efficiency after these breaks.
Well-rested people deliver better results. The research is clear. Coordinated rest is not a perk. It is a proven strategy for sustainable, long-term performance.