The Constant Sense of Urgency in Leadership
We feel a sense of urgency throughout our day and week. It begins before we arrive at work on Monday morning and it does not stop even after we leave work on Friday. Leaders carry a responsibility to create momentum and ensure that the team is moving forward. That responsibility can be all consuming.
Not only do they feel this sense of responsibility at work, but possess that same drive to improve in their personal lives. Often they are leading at their community schools, church, or in their family. Leadership is not a 9-to-5 job but rather a way of life that can seem overwhelming at times.
The Impact of Constant Pressure on Leaders
Our culture of never stopping, always innovating, problem solving, and expecting constant results creates tension for many. Over time this paradigm can drain a leader’s energy and resilience and diminish their effectiveness. It can even appear that the person no longer cares about their team or their work, when in reality they have just given all they have to give.
Why Rest and Renewal Matter for Leaders
Having a sense of urgency to be productive, or a desire to improve is not the problem. Instead, the issue resides with how we temper or pace those pursuits. Ensuring that we are having regular periods of rest and renewal balances and refuels us for periods of growth and stretching.
Small Breaks Can Make a Big Difference
Most of us know this to be true but we convince ourselves it is not possible. That we are just too busy to slow down or to take the time. Realistically, it is not about needing an entire day or week to just rest. A longer time may be needed, but more frequently, even a five-minute break can make a huge difference.
For example, standing up and doing a few stretches, walking around your parking lot, getting up to get some water to drink, listening to your favorite song, or listening to a motivational video for 5 minutes, are all ways you can give yourself a quick burst of energy throughout the day. Long periods of time are not required to get results.
A Holistic Approach to Leadership Renewal
One factor to consider is using a more wholistic approach. Consider alternating between physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual breaks. Taking care of each area in our lives provides maximum renewal, driving our ability to thrive in the midst of urgent demands.
The Value of Quiet and Reflection
In particular, provide yourself with times of quiet where you can decompress and reflect. Highly effective people are great at pacing their sense of urgency.
