Rest isn’t the enemy, despite the pervasive narrative. We often hear about the extreme work habits of figures like Elon Musk or Marissa Mayer, or the rigorous study schedules imposed on Chinese children. But what’s the cost of this relentless drive? It’s a recipe for mental and physical exhaustion, heightened risks of depression, and ultimately, burnout.

Let me share a personal anecdote. I was born in Greece but left at a young age, so I never learned Greek. In August, I decided to tackle it, dedicating just one hour each evening to learning on Duolingo—phrases, basic grammar, vocabulary, and so on.

By October, I was conversing with my parents in Greek without noticeable stumbling or grammatical errors. And here’s the thing: I only spent about 75-80 hours on Greek over those two and a half months. That’s less than what some might cram into a single week, but the results speak for themselves.

The brain is adaptable, yes, but not infinitely so. True learning takes time and consistency. It’s like eating a meal: you can’t just shovel it all in at once and expect to digest it properly. You need to break it down into manageable bites and chew slowly. Otherwise, you might choke.

So, let’s not glorify the hustle at the expense of our well-being. Sustainable progress comes from steady, incremental effort, not from burning ourselves out in a frenzy of activity.