Daily Leadership Thought #149 – Everyone Needs Downtime

Everyone needs downtime. Even extreme extroverts must recharge occasionally. It is too much work to be “on” all the time. It is also not healthy to be constantly overstimulated. There is no shortage of options on how you spend your time, especially if you have a job with any real responsibility and/or have children. However, I encourage you to make time for quiet moments with minimal distractions, allowing your brain to rest and focus on fewer things.

I worry that as a society, we are becoming too enamored with activity for activity’s sake. There seems to be less and less emphasis on thinking and self-reflection. To paraphrase the great Peter Drucker, “There is nothing as pointless as doing with great efficiency that which should not be done at all.”

It feels like most of us are constantly in a hyperactive state, whether at home or at work. Despite what we may think, multitasking doesn’t work very well. Life should not just be about getting things done and then moving on to the next item on the list.

I urge you to ask yourself the following questions:

• When was the last time you went for a walk or hike and just enjoyed the experience?
• Do you make time for reading for pleasure and enjoyment?
• Do you ever feel uneasy when you’re not engaged in activities you consider important or significant?
• How frequently do you find yourself checking your email or text messages, and is this truly essential?
• How frequently do you find yourself hurrying through conversations and not fully engaging with what the other person is expressing?
• Do you regularly find yourself thinking about the next thing rather than being fully present in the moment?
• Can you leave your work at the office, or does it always follow you home? And, vice versa?
• Are your weekends full of endless chores and errands? And, is your social calendar too full or demanding?
• Are you able to clear your head and sleep soundly at night, or is your brain always racing and hindering your ability to rest?
• How much negative stress do you have in your life? And, what are you doing about it?
• Are you exercising enough? Do you feel healthy and full of energy?
• Are you genuinely happy? Do you think about how your actions affect other people’s happiness?

It’s important to ask yourself these types of questions and reflect on your answers. Self-awareness and reflection are essential components of life. For a society and generation blessed with so much, we are paradoxically dealing with depression and unhappiness at alarming levels. How many people do you know who take some form of medication to help them cope with life? Many individuals I meet are stressed and see no end in sight. They feel like they are on a treadmill that keeps getting faster and less rewarding. They are searching for answers but not taking the time to make sure they are asking the right questions.

The simple answer may be that “less is more.” The only remedy for too much complexity is usually simplicity. Instead of piling more activities on an already full plate, start removing things and focus on what is most important. Learn to say no. Make a life decision to emphasize quality over quantity whenever possible. Avoid needless distractions and realize that technology is only a tool to be used for the right reasons.

Make sure you are getting enough downtime to recharge your batteries, clear your head, reflect on your life, and tap into your creative and spiritual energy. It will make a big difference!

Related articles

• Self Care — What Do You Need? (joyofspa.com)
• Announcing the Healthy Mind Platter. (psychologytoday.com)