“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” — Stephen Covey
I have a bit of a confession to make. And it’s one that is probably the exact opposite of what most of the world faces. I have to force myself to rest. While most people struggle to find energy to check items off their “to-do” list, I struggle with just sitting down and relaxing. In my mind, I feel like when I’m resting, that there’s something else I should be doing.
As a leader in your organization — Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever struggle with investing your time to increase your energy? Because that’s what resting is: an investment. It’s easy for leaders to think that time spent actively doing something with an immediately measurable outcome is an investment; it’s difficult for them to think of time spent resting in the same way. In a fast-forward culture, rest seems like a luxury we just can’t afford.
These past few years as part of my personal growth and leadership development, I have included scheduling in my recharge time. It might not be where I am taking a siesta on the couch, but it’s time that I am sure to set aside to make memories with my family and closest of friends. Which for me, that is what fills my cup up! That is my “rest”. Time spent to recharge, so that during my daily routines, I’m motivated and charged to pour into those that look to me for leadership development and growth!
This weekend was FULL of fun and memories. I didn’t get the dad nap I may have been longing for ;), but my weekend included an incredible Friday night date night with my wife, an impromptu Saturday outing to Chick-Fil-A, followed by my kiddos having some friends over for a sleepover, church, plenty of hours out on the lake, grilling time, and a Sunday evening bike ride to get a sweet treat from the local Culvers! I mention this because as I create my goals and to do lists for this week, my head is clear and I’m focused, and there is absolutely NO feeling of burn out towards my leadership drive and passion to knock out an accomplished week!!
I have learned this from being a dad and family man… And from the fellow dad/husband mentors I am blessed to have in my life… The most fun families are playful. They know how to have fun. They enjoy life together. They know how to play. They know how to work hard, but then how to switch gears to have fun. This is the missing ingredient in so many families and organizations today — These days, many families and teams are too busy, too tired, too negative, too worn out, and just too darn serious all the time. Who wants to come home from school or work to that? Families should be fun! And our organizations should be NO different!
At Atlas, we have adopted what is known as a 4.5 day work week. Monday-Thursday we go HARD. Friday is a catch-up day, and unless it is snowing or we are behind from rainy weather, we rarely work weekends as this gives my Team much needed time to unwind and relax.
I keep a very busy weekly schedule, but I have learned to understand that recharging is an essential investment for my leadership. Getting that quality time in with my family gives me a charge unlike anything else. I don’t ever want to look back at my life and realize that I missed a crucial part of it. Granted, I work hard so that we can enjoy some of the things in life we want that financial gain helps out with. And I am very intentional about reminding my kids that this life we get to live doesn’t come for free! But the only way it can be sustainable is to have a healthy balance between grinding, and recharging! I don’t want my kids to grow up and their only memory of me was how I was always “working”. The thought of that makes me sick to my stomach.
Taking the time to rest, and having quality time with your family / friends is actually a discipline just like anything else is that you do. It takes time and intentionality to find the right rhythm that works for you and for your leadership. But make no mistake—it’s an essential part of your work as a leader. Taking time to invest in your physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health as leaders is just good business. A burned-out leader reproduces burned-out people because we reproduce what we are, not what we want. Learning to maintain this balance is one of the best investments a leader can make in his/herself! The BEST organizational leaders I know have their home lives dialed in just as much as their working lives!
What kind of investment do you need to make to get your balance on track?