Your time is YOUR time: Self-inflicted BURNOUT

Let’s be honest, as a leader you are the master and commander of your people’s time. You probably go to great lengths to make sure everyone is taking their breaks, lunches, and even vacations when they NEED them. You more than likely encourage them to enjoy their off time with friends and family or perusing their passions and hobbies.

In regards to being a good steward of your team’s time and talent you are a huge success. Unfortunately, when it comes to your time…you are a massive failure! Look, it’s ok! We all do it! However, that doesn’t make it right or good.

I call this the Alice effect, I’ll explain. In the 1951 Disney classic Alice in Wonderland, there is a scene where Alice is lost in the forest. She remarks that she gives very good advice, but very seldom follows it. Leaders are notoriously afflicted by the Alice effect as it pertains to their time.

As a leader you are the one giving of yourself and your time 110% to accomplish the mission. While admirable it often has a very adverse effect on many aspects of a leader’s life. It can have a negative impact on your energy level, mental toughness, effectiveness, job performance, overall health, and even your family. None of that is good, nor does it make you an optimal leader.

So, how do we fix this? Well simply put, start taking your own advice! I get it, it’s hard! It can be difficult to “turn it off”, but it’s necessary. If you don’t allow yourself the time to disconnect occasionally then work becomes your whole life. That’s why you just nodded your head in silent agreement.

Trust me I’ve been there. I was a Drill Sergeant for 3 glorious years. While that job was very rewarding it was also very demanding of my time and energy. I would leave my house at 3:45 AM every morning and not get home until 9:45 PM that evening, IF I came home. Can you imagine what a nightmare I would have been to be around if I didn’t take my time away seriously? Not just for me and my health, but my family as well. I can assure you that living with a Drill Sergeant dad is not something any kid or spouse wants to deal with.

One of the hardest pills I had to swallow when I retired from the military was that it would most definitely go on without me. That’s not to say that my impact or time spent wasn’t important. Simply that it would survive without me. Your business will survive without you as well. Whether it’s for a couple days or a couple weeks, they can figure it out. You have empowered them with the tools they need to succeed.

So, leader to leader, I urge you to take your time away from work as seriously as you do your time at work. I challenge you to be just as intentional with that as you are with being a leader. Do something fun, spend time with the family or friends, work on a project you are passionate about, or simply do nothing at all. Lastly and for goodness sake put your phone down!