The Power of Doing Nothing | Issue 5

When was the last time you did nothing? No phone buzzing in your pocket, no work email notification dinging on your laptop, no miles-long to-do list running through your head? 

Many leaders I work with pride themselves on their relentless work ethic—long hours, endless to-do lists and packed schedules – badges of honor for the modern executive. 

But what if I told you the key to unlocking your next level of success might lie in something entirely different: doing nothing.

The Burnout Trap

Constantly pushing ourselves to the limit has diminishing returns. Chronic overwork leads to:

• Decreased productivity and creativity: Your brain needs downtime to process information, replenish attention, and spark new ideas. (Source: Scientific American)

• Health problems: These include an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and even depression. (Source: Harvard)

• Decision fatigue: The more choices you make, the worse your decision-making becomes. (Source: AMA)

It’s also counterproductive to our goals as successful leaders.

Remember true boredom? Mine came in the form of childhood summers. Re-reading dog-eared books or staring at clouds until I was so bored, I’d eventually Marie Kondo the kitchen pantry—that sign I had cleared out my inner clutter enough to have capacity to take on more (including school!).

Of course, this level of reset is rarely an option for members of the C-suite.

But, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing: a recent work retreat pulled me out of my usual routine. Unplugged and in nature, thought-provoking conversations with founders sparked fresh ideas (including this edition’s theme!).

It was the most productive I’ve felt in a long time.

The Recharge Revolution

So, how do we embrace the "power of doing nothing" in our fast-paced world?

• Start fresh. Meditate, workout, or journal—all are ways of freeing your mind and giving the day a fresh start, as opposed to letting a snooze alarm do it for you. One exec I worked with loved gardening before getting a go on his day. 

• Say no. If you're too busy with all the things, how can you make space for nothingness? Take things off your plate. 

• Take “micro-breaks”. Neuroscience research shows taking multiple bite-sized breaks throughout the workday boosts performance – and productivity. (For me, it’s a quick walk, in which I make it a point to literally look up at the sky!)

• Plan with purpose. Identify the best thinking time in your day, week, and month and block it on your calendar. I had a manager who instituted a one-hour daily time block dedicated to thought work—thinking through a challenge, or planning ahead. When I still worked in an office, I’d slate mine during my lengthy Caltrain commutes!

• Disconnect to reconnect. One CEO client takes a weekly two-hour hike and, in that space, sorts through his biggest decisions before returning more focused and decisive. The seemingly “unproductive” hike is his key to supercharging productivity.

• Use your PTO! I’m still realizing the benefits of the work retreat I attended, and I'm a big proponent of actual vacations (I'm just returning from a two-week trip to Alaska). Workplaces like Gusto with its Flyaway program encourage rejuvenating breaks. These may seem frivolous, but the boost that comes from them is often well worth the investment.

Rest isn't laziness. Boredom sparks creativity. Do nothing, and achieve more.

Prioritize this. Your business—and your health—will thank you for it.

Want to learn more about the power of rest and the myth of productivity? 

• Why Relaxation Is the Secret Ingredient for Breakthrough Ideas | Inc.com

• The Importance of Being Lazy | CBS Sunday Morning 

• Born to Create by Anne Jacoby

Ready to unlock your full potential? Let's chat about creating a personalized strategy for incorporating rest and rejuvenation into your high-powered life.

Keep reading, keep leading,

Jess

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