In the fast-paced world of leadership and high-stakes decision-making, “doing nothing” can feel counterproductive, even wrong. Yet, in the stillness of intentional inaction lies an often-overlooked power: the opportunity to recalibrate, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
The Leadership Fallacy: Always Doing Something
Leaders are conditioned to believe that constant activity equates to progress. But as an executive coach, I’ve seen the opposite play out: overactivity can lead to burnout, shallow thinking, and misaligned decisions. Doing nothing isn’t a sign of laziness—it’s an essential leadership skill.
Doing Nothing vs. Other Forms of Rest
Doing nothing is not meditation. It’s not binge-watching Netflix, scrolling through social media, or even curling up with a good book. Those activities, while restful or enjoyable, still involve focus, direction, or consumption.
True “doing nothing” means sitting quietly with no agenda, letting your mind wander wherever it wants to go. It’s unstructured, unscripted, and often uncomfortable. It’s not about relaxation or productivity—it’s about creating space for your mind to drift and uncover subconscious thoughts. This kind of unfiltered mental meandering creates space for buried insights to surface. It’s a practice that feels counterintuitive but can be transformative.
The Science of Rest
Neuroscience tells us that downtime isn’t wasted time. When you’re not actively solving problems or consuming information, your brain’s “default mode network” activates. This network plays a key role in memory consolidation, self-reflection, and creativity.
It’s the space where those elusive “aha” moments often originate. Regularly allowing your mind to wander can lead to unexpected insights and solutions—not during the stillness itself, but in the hours or days that follow.
My Experience with Doing Nothing
When I first tried practicing doing nothing, it was surprisingly hard. After just a few minutes, I felt the itch to grab my phone and check it. Sitting still felt almost unbearable at first. But the more I practiced, the more I began to enjoy it.
Over time, I noticed something remarkable: bursts of creativity and “aha” moments started showing up when I least expected them. The simple act of allowing my mind to wander freely became a powerful tool for both personal clarity and professional inspiration.
Permission to Pause
As leaders, you don’t need to earn rest—it’s your right and responsibility. By stepping back, you create the capacity to step forward more intentionally. The discomfort of doing nothing is a sign that you’re breaking the cycle of overactivity and opening up room for deeper clarity. For leaders, this clarity can lead to sharper decision-making, enhanced emotional regulation, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Here’s a simple practice to try:
- Set Aside Time: Block 10-15 minutes in your day to sit quietly with no distractions. No agenda, no tasks.
- Let Your Mind Wander: Resist the urge to focus or direct your thoughts. Let them flow naturally and observe without judgment.
- Notice Patterns: While you’re not actively reflecting, you may notice recurring thoughts or feelings. These can signal areas of growth or unresolved concerns.
- Trust the Process: The insights may not come immediately, but the habit of creating mental space will yield surprising clarity over time.
The Power of Rest and Restoration
This February 17th-20th, 2025, I’ll be co-leading a Rest and Restoration Retreat in the serene Scottsdale, AZ desert. I’ll be collaborating with Megan Hottman, a celebrated competitive cyclist and nature enthusiast. This immersive experience is designed to help leaders like you step away from the noise, reconnect with your purpose, and learn the art of doing nothing—on purpose.
Imagine a few days to practice stillness under the vast desert sky, letting your mind wander and your inner wisdom emerge. There will be lots of doing nothing combined with deep coaching conversations, understanding our Enneagram types, tent camping, or glamping in a high-tech Boho camper van (where we’ve secured a major discounted rate for you), hiking, biking (optional), community meals, and connection over the campfire. Together, we’ll embrace the power of pause, connect with nature, and learn how intentional rest can transform not only your leadership but your life.
If this idea of intentional rest resonates with you, FILL OUT THIS INTEREST FORM to learn more about the retreat.
Because sometimes, doing nothing is the most important thing you can do—and you’re doing nothing wrong.
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