When someone asks you, "How are you doing?" How do you respond? Is it, "Good" "Great" "I'm doing well" OR "I'm busy!!" If you're like many of us the default answer is "busy!" There is something in American culture that views busy-ness as the ultimate virtue; almost as if those who are busy are achievers and those who are not as busy are not!

Many years ago I worked for a boss that required most of us to stay in the office until 8pm. The problem is much of our business shut down after 6pm. The theory was that if we remained in the office until 8pm we would use that time to "cold call" clients (I worked for a mortgage company) and develop new business. In reality the cold calls would probably last about 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of your list, leaving you with one and a half hours to do administrative work, push paper around, make copies and most importantly LOOK BUSY!

Pressure?

If you're a leader you have probably felt the pressure to be busy because of the things you need to accomplish in a day, because of the things you need to take care of tomorrow and the day after, the need to oversee the people you lead and manage, and sometimes you may feel the pressure to be busy (or to look busy) because you know everyone is watching you! (Admit it, you know it's true!)

The unfortunate thing about our "busy, busy, busy" mantra is that you are not designed to run at full speed all the time! As a leader where you are most valuable is in your ability to evaluate, think, strategize, communicate clearly, make adjustments and set the course. When you're buried in busy it's awfully hard to see the big picture. 

What am I saying? 

As a leader you need to press the pause button regularly. I want you, right now, to take out your calendar and schedule just 20 minutes in the next week when you are not to be bothered, interrupted; when you will not answer the phone, or respond to a text message or email, or do anything unless there is a legit emergency. 

Set a clear boundary with your team that you are not to be interrupted during this time! Close the door. Draw the blinds. Turn off the lights. Whatever you need to do to set the boundary. If someone violates the boundary be firm (yet nice) that you are not to be bothered until the time is completed. (Again, unless it's an emergency.)

What do I do?

During this time I recommend you do these things:

• Exhale and breathe! Sometimes just sitting in your chair for a few minutes to decompress will help you tremendously. 
• Ask yourself questions like this...(no, you don't have to ask yourself all of these questions in one sitting. Pick a few and reflect on them!)
• "Are there any blind spots in my leadership right now?"
• "What am I doing well?"
• "What do I need to work on?"
• "How are my people doing?"
• "Is there anything that I really should be focusing on that I haven't been?"
• "Is there something that I have been working on that can really be delegated to someone else?"
• "How is my emotional, relational and professional bandwidth? Is my tank empty or full?"
• "What do my people need from me?"
• "What do I need from my people?"
• "What do I need from my supervisor?"

Then wait to listen to the answers. Its amazing how much wisdom and information we can tap into when we quiet the world down around us and listen! Some of you may hear what sounds like a voice, or you may just feel a sense or an impression of the direction to move into, often times you'll recall a scene from a movie or a TV show that you like which will illustrate a point to you! All you need to do is pay attention to what you hear and then act on it. 

You may also want to read a book or listen to a podcast during your time to get your thoughts flowing. I often utilize the time when I'm traveling on an airplane to read something and then write my notes and action items in a journal that I can review when I return home. 

Do more by doing "less"!

Friends, if you take time regularly to PAUSE, reflect and then act on what you've reflected on, you'll find that your leadership capabilities and capacity will expand and grow! Trust me, it may feel like you're doing "less" but you'll position yourself to do "more!"

Want to learn more leadership hacks? Attend my "Legit Leadership: 10 Leadership Hacks in 60 Minutes" webinar on November 7 at 2 ET! Register at https://www.multifamilyinsiders.com/shop-multifamily/product/219-legit-leadership-10-leadership-hacks-in-60-minutes and I look forward to seeing you there!

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