The Manager 158 - Walking, inspiration and productivity
View this email in your browser
"The Manager" Newsletter
Hi,
I hope you are safe and well.
Things are crazy busy here. Work is hectic, home life is hectic and we’re closing in on house renovation planning time.
I’m still trying to plough through my latest book “Take a day off” but it’s not going well. Work, for one thing, is all consuming. It’s always hard trying to create something, when that creation time is squeezed in amongst other commitments, but I’m getting there. Hope to have it launched before Christmas…I know, I know, I think I said September a few editions of this newsletter ago…
I’ve been intrigued and mesmerised by this article by Craig Mod called Walking as a Productivity Tool. In the article Craig shares tips and tricks on productivity and tooling but underlying it all is the walking that he does. It’s when he switches off, focusses, notices the world around him and comes back refreshed and productive from the walks.
We’re not talking about a walk through the woods, or around the block. We’re talking hundreds of miles across Japan. All captured on film, video, audio and his pop-up newsletters. His newsletter is by far the 2nd best newsletter on the web..after this one of course.
It got me thinking.
How can I create space in my life to walk, or ponder, or think, or simply do nothing? I know that when I create this space I have my best ideas. I feel rejuvenated. I feel good. I feel refreshed.
I also know that when we create these quiet spaces in our workplaces, people can solve tricky issues, be creative, be innovative and refresh their thinking.
I often hear company values and initiatives designed to “inspire” people to bring their best self to work, to be creative or to drive through change. But this cannot happen without space and time to be quiet; to do nothing; to simply be.
Yet, if you ask many managers and leaders whether they create this time for themselves, let alone their people, the chances are they will say no. There are things to fill every hour; lists, tasks, action.
When we deconstruct the English language (or any language) we can often discover where words come from.
The word “inspiration” comes from the Latin word “inspiratio” which literally means the “drawing of breath” or “breathing”.
The word “pneuma” is used by the Greeks and The Stoics to describe “spirit” or “breath”.
The word “spirit” in English is also found in “respiration” (a variant on the spelling).
Inspiration, spirit...means to breathe.
So, to be inspiring, to create, to innovate, to be productive requires breath or breathing. It requires quiet time. It requires time with no agenda. It requires walking, meditating, simply sitting or relaxing. It’s why our best ideas and breakthroughs often come in the shower. We’re switched off. We’re breathing. We’re quiet.
From today onwards I’m back on my fitness routines. I’m back meditating. I’m back walking at 6am. I’m back.
Because I know that when I breathe and switch off, I am inspired. When I have no agenda, I come up with my best ideas. When I don’t fill every day with action, I am refreshed and fulfilled.
And this same “breathing” is needed at work. How can we help others find time to simply be? To have no agenda. To walk? To breathe?
Tomorrow I will get back to leading by example.
I will take a lunch break. I will block out time in my calendar for quietly sitting. I will not allow back-to-back video calls to dominate my calendar. And I will encourage my growing team to do the same.
Because if I’m to be an inspiring leader and they are to be inspired to be their best, we know we’re going to need to breathe. We’re going to need to find quiet.
And when our days are full and action is all we ask for, we’re going to kill all forms of inspiration, creativity and innovation.
With that, I wish you a great week and some quiet time. Don't forget to breathe.
Things I've found interesting
Having a social? Don't exclude people. (short)
Said "yes" but now you want to say "no"? Here's some advice on doing just that. (short)
Why companies should maintain a flexible working model (short)
Until next week.
Rob..
Support Cultivated Management
Thank you for reading this week's edition of The Manager.
This newsletter is a labour of love. If you enjoyed this newsletter, then please consider supporting me:
Cultivated Management is better with friends - share the love by sharing this newsletter. Subscribe page is here.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly insights
Consider sitting my Communication Super Power Workshop
Maybe you'd like to buy a book?
Thanks
Rob..