“If I was to sum up the single biggest mistake of senior leadership in the Information Age, it’s a lack of reflection. Solitude allows you to reflect while others are reacting. We need solitude to refocus on prospective decision-making, rather than just reacting to problems as they arise.”
~ James Mattis, 4-star Marine Corps General & Former Secretary of Defense
Leaders need to get away and gain perspective on the current moment. Taking a break to breathe, reflect, regroup, and refocus can prevent burnout and avoid the downward spiral to disaster.
An Energizing Break is a standing appointment, for a defined period of time, to work on yourself and your business.
Use the time to think, brainstorm, and plan. This is a time to review your progress. It’s a time to look at your business, see the moving parts, and identify what’s working and what’s not. It’s a time to self-reflect and take care of yourself.
Your Energizing Break can take place in a local park, in a coffee shop, or on the patio of your home – anywhere but your office. Any environment that allows you to have quiet, uninterrupted time will work. Think of it as your “strategic design studio.”
A break allows you to see what you normally would not see. It lets you push a reset button, reenergizing and recharging you for what you need to accomplish going forward, both personally and professionally.
You may not be good at this the first time, and that’s okay. Don’t worry about “doing it right.” Perfection is not a friend here.
Turn off your cell phone and all electronics, and go with the old school paper and a pencil. Give yourself time to think and let your mind go where it wants. Allow yourself to work with partial ideas and lingering thoughts. You will be amazed at the thoughts that come to you.
You should schedule a break as often as you need one, as long as they are consistent. Many clients schedule them weekly; others schedule them for a short time daily. Pick a day and time, enter it into your scheduler, and hit “repeat forever.”
If you’re not sure where to start, these questions may help:
- What is the most important idea to ponder today?
- What is the best and highest use of my time?
- What does success look like for me?
- What is on my bucket list?
- What does my ideal week look like? Could I make that happen every week? How about twice a month for starters?
- What do I fear being asked?
- Am I giving all areas of my life appropriate energy?
When is the last time you checked in with yourself and experienced an Energizing Break? If you’ve never had one, aren’t clear on how to use this time, or don’t know how to fit it into your life, I can help. Simply fill out the consult form below to schedule a free, no-obligation consult call with me. Together we can figure out how to prioritize this important time, experience clarity, and grow your business in the long run.
