For many of us, we keep going and going until one day we just say- “Enough”. Our bodies or minds simply give out and cease to function in any meaningful way. We can’t drag ourselves out of bed or we refuse to work on one more project. We may want to but we can’t. We’re fried.
Why does this happen? We are so committed to our jobs that we think that by pushing ourselves to a breaking point is the best way to achieve our goals. We are convinced that leading means that we never stop performing even when we are plumb out of energy or ideas. Our mantra is- plow forward and something will turn up.
I have noticed many leaders recently feeling that they can’t go on in the same way at the same pace. In my workshops I hear groans of frustration with comments like:
“If only I had more vacation time.”
“I would love to look into some new job possibilities but I don’t know where to start.”
“A more flexible work schedule would be so energizing.”
“I’m really tired of my routine and need a change.”
So if you are experiencing similar feelings, know that you are not alone. When we reach this breaking point, it is an important sign to put down the tools and projects and step away. It means time for some greatly needed Down Time!
Down Time is the secret to great leadership because it:
Allows us to see what is happening and why
When we are in the midst of our busy workdays and routines, we can’t possibly think things through clearly. But when we can step back and see the truths about our jobs and workplaces, we learn a great deal.
- Ask yourself what is burning you out?
- Is the daily routine too monotonous?
- Are we not feeling connected to our team members?
- Are we feeling lonely?
- Have we stopped growing?
[Tweet “Down Time helps leaders see the reality of their work worlds.”]
Provides us perspective
Understanding that although no job or career or workplace is perfect, we need to see how our professional and personal lives intersect. Often when leaders feel overwhelmed with their routines, it is because what we value in our personal life isn’t carrying over into the work environment. For example, if we are energized by people in our home life but spend our workdays mostly analyzing data, we may be very unhappy. During some Down Time we can try to come up with ways to add human interactions during our day.
Gives us an opportunity to dream
Who really has time to dream? The answer should be- all of us need to make time to imagine how we see our future. Leadership is not simply doing tasks but should include being.
- Let your mind drift and visualize how your ideal leadership should look
- Dream up your perfect job and think of what your day may look like
- Imagine who you would like to have coffee or a break or lunch with?
- What new skills have you been eager to learn?
[Tweet “When leaders make time to dream they create their futures.”]
Empowers us to take action
Down Time is the force that helps leaders take the action they need to rejuvenate their leadership. I often hear leaders gripe about not knowing the people in another department but wanting to make a connection. Plan out how to engage with interesting individuals in and outside of work. Decide what new books you have wanted to tackle. Prepare how to talk to your boss about new responsibilities. Figure out how to build more flexibility into your day.
Gets our leadership back on track
When an emerging leader I work with is feeling disconnected in her job, during her Down Time she imagines and dreams and plans how to reconfigure her career. Who should she interview about a different career? What other career paths fit into her major? When we take the time to regain our footing our leadership will soar.
How have you built Down Time into your leadership?
I love this post on the importance of “down time” as the perfect “pick up.” I am guilty for not taking enough down time and it always shows up in the quality of my work. I tend to keep banging my head to move forward when I’ve hit a tough spot, but I know that if I just take a few minutes (or days!) to think of nothing related to the issue, the answer almost always comes with less struggle than I would ordinarily experience.
Great article and even greater reminder…
I agree that when leaders don’t take down time that their creativity and quality of their performance may be compromised. I worked with an individual who was so overwhelmed and didn’t want to step back to breathe. The result was a report of many mistakes. It’s so helpful to acknowledge when we are on overload and then pulling away from all our work for a short time can really boost our confidence and decision-making abilities.
Thanks LaRae for adding your wonderful insights!
Your timing is great Terri! I recently wrote “White Space” on my calendar – as a reminder to be intentional about creating that – because I’m so highly skilled at filling the calendar. Which causes me to totally echo LaRae, when I’m in “go mode” it is hard to even allow myself to take a nap, although I know I am more productive after having one. (I am improving.)
In the past – airplanes were the best down time ever! I read, I thought, I wrote, I planned. And I came back to the office reenergized and ready to go again.
That’s so funny you mention about using flights for Down Time. I too find that when I am air bound, I feel free to just let my mind wander and read up on articles and books that fascinate me. Maybe if leaders tried to recreate being up in the air, they would remind themselves how wonderful Down Time is and give themselves that time to dream.
Here’s to being “up in the air” time!! Thanks Chery for your wise words!
I try to take time off quarterly. When I took my first big trip in a long time a few years ago, I resolved to do some work along the way instead of checking out for the duration. Mid-way through I tied up lose ends with clients and went on vacation mentally (not only physically). Taking a holiday but still staying in work-mode won’t re-energize or recharge the way we want. There is a lot of pressure to stay involved – it’s pressure that leaders need to learn to resist to continue to be and do their best.
As LaRae wrote – great reminder! Will share!
~ Alli
Quarterly Down Times is an excellent approach! And your point about resisting staying connected even through our vacations is an important one. We all need to unplug for our mental and physical health. It is really the best time to dream and plan and re-evaluate.
Thanks Alli!
Hi Terri,
This post rang true for me. When I hit the point of no return, downtime was a must. I had to stop the doing and learn how to just be.
During my transition from a “human doing” to a human being, I learned many lessons. One in particular is relevant to this blog – dreaming. I had forgotten how to dream . I was so busy that I did not have time to imagine and visualize a future.
As you point out, all of us need to make time to imagine how we see our future. I loved the questions you asked to get the dreaming process started. They would have helped me jump start my imagination and visualizations.
Terri
I love your “human doing” and “human being” transition Terri! Dreaming is so critical for each of us and we don’t give ourselves the time or place to think of where we really want to focus.
Thanks so much Terri for adding your wonderful insights!