This week, let’s reflect on Anne Lamott’s wonderfully insightful quote: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
As leaders, we’re constantly “on.” We juggle endless responsibilities, make critical decisions, and strive to keep our teams moving forward. But just like our computers or phones, we too need moments—and sometimes extended periods—to unplug, reset, and truly recharge.🔋
Taking time off—whether it’s a long weekend, a staycation, or a full-blown vacation to an exotic locale 🏝️—isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategic necessity for effective leadership. It’s not about being absent; it’s about investing in your capacity to be fully present and perform at your best when it truly matters.
Here’s why “unplugging” is a positive power move for leaders:
- Renewed Clarity & Perspective: When you’re constantly in the weeds, it’s hard to see the forest. Stepping away allows your brain to process, make new connections, and often, generate fresh solutions to old problems. You return with a clearer vision and renewed focus. Imagine trying to strategize a year-long plan when caught in daily fire drills! 🧠💡
- Boosted Creativity & Innovation: Our most innovative ideas often don’t strike us while staring at a scren. They surface during walks, hobbies, or when our minds are at rest. Unplugging fosters the kind of relaxed state that breeds creativity.
- Preventing Burnout: Leaders pushing without breaks risk burnout, impacting decision-making and morale. By visibly taking time off, you set a healthy example for your team, encouraging their well-being. This cultivates a more sustainable and productive environment. 🌱
- Enhanced Resilience: Life throws curveballs. Leaders need resilience. Regularly taking breaks builds your mental and emotional reserves, equipping you to handle stress and challenges better.
Consider your own “unplugging” strategy. How are you ensuring you get the necessary resets to lead effectively and sustainably?
Book Recommendation 📚
For those who feel perpetually busy yet yearn for deeper rest and real accomplishment, I highly recommend “Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less” by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang. This book challenges the ingrained notion that constant work equals success. Pang, a consultant in Silicon Valley, explores how many of history’s most creative and productive figures—from Charles Darwin to Winston Churchill—integrated substantial amounts of rest, walking, napping, and deep play into their daily routines. He introduces the concept of “deliberate rest,” arguing that strategic downtime isn’t a passive activity but an active tool for higher productivity, deeper insights, and sustainable peak performance. It’s a powerful shift in mindset for any leader looking to achieve more by thoughtfully working less. 📖
A Personal Anecdote from Paradise:
Speaking of unplugging, I am incredibly fortunate to have the recent opportunity to truly unplug, as IZ says, on “White Sandy Beaches” 🌊. Stepping away from the daily grind and immersing myself in the rhythm of the waves, the vibrant colors of the tropical flora 🌺, and the warmth of the sun on my skin is utterly transformative. There were moments when I completely forgot about emails and deadlines, replaced by the simple joy of watching a sea turtle glide by 🐢 while snorkeling, feeling the ocean spray on my face while sitting on a surf board 🏄, or feeling the sand between my toes. I will return not just rested, but with a palpable sense of renewed energy, fresh perspectives on some ongoing challenges, and a deeper appreciation for the importance of these moments of complete disconnect. It truly felt like my own internal operating system had been rebooted, ready to tackle whatever comes next with clarity and vigor.
Let’s all embrace the power of the pause. Your leadership, and your well-being, will thank you for it!