I recently learned that burnout isn’t a personal failure, but a biological signal that my brain’s ‘internal support crew’ is exhausted. This realization unlocked your brain’s secret to peak performance, and it has nothing to do with hustle. Instead, it has everything to do with honoring the 90% of our brain we constantly ignore. Has anyone else tried scheduling ‘do nothing’ time?
Prefer to watch? I’ve put my video below or if you’re a reader simply continue reading the post.
The Silent Majority of Your Brain
For every neuron in your brain, there are nine other cells working behind the scenes to make its genius possible. We are usually obsessed with our neurons, which are the thinking cells, but we’ve been ignoring the silent majority of the brain. These unsung heroes hold the secret to our wellbeing and peak performance. These are the glial cells.
That’s right, for every one neuron, you have roughly nine glial cells. They may not be the stars of the show, but they’re the entire production crew. They are the gardeners, the janitors, the electricians, and the security force of your brain. Without them, your neurons couldn’t function and your genius couldn’t emerge.
- They provide nutrients to your neurons.
- They clean up waste products through systems like the glymphatic system.
- They insulate the neural pathways with myelin to make them faster.
- They protect the brain from invaders.
A Biological Analogy for a Balanced Life
This neurological reality is a profound biological analogy for your life. We always celebrate the ‘neuron moments’, which are the big wins, the creative breakthroughs, and the peak performances. At the same time, we demonize the ‘glial moments’… the rest, the quiet integration, the unproductive time, and the essential acts of self-care.
That feeling of burnout isn’t a sign that your neurons have failed. It’s a sign that your glial cells are exhausted.
It is like we’ve been trying to put on a Broadway show without ever letting the stage crew clean up, reset the lights, or repair the set. Eventually, the whole production grinds to a halt.
How to Use Your Brain’s Secret to Peak Performance
To truly honor your internal support crew, you must adopt a new mindset. This is not a ‘doing’ practice; it is a ‘being’ practice. Here is a simple way to start giving your glial cells the support they need to support you.
- Schedule “Glial Time.” Take a look at your calendar for tomorrow and schedule one 10-minute block labeled “Glial Time.” Make this a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.
- Do Nothing Productive. During this time, your only job is to do nothing that has a productive outcome. This means no phone, no emails, and no planning.
- Choose a Restful Activity. Pick something simple and restorative. Stare out a window, lie on the grass and watch the clouds, listen to a piece of music with your eyes closed, or just gently stretch your body.
- Set Your Intention. As you begin your glial time, tell yourself, “I am now allowing my internal support crew to restore, repair, and regenerate. This is the most productive work I can do right now.”
An Intelligent Act of Self-Stewardship
You are not being lazy by taking this time. You’re engaging in the most intelligent act of self-stewardship. You’re attending to the 90% that makes the other 10% possible. This practice is a foundational step in personal energy mastery, a concept we explore more deeply in events like the Ignite Your 13 Chakra Blueprint training, where you can check the schedule for our next class.
Try this for at least one week. If you want to be really serious, try it for a month. The immense change you will notice for yourself will be a world apart. Good luck.
