Taking an Intermission
This week, we're hearing from Penney Leadership Strategic Career Coach, Jessica Crowley. Jessica and I have been talking a lot lately about the importance of "White Space" in our calendars, and as we both prepare to carve out a block of time away from coaching and meetings over the summer, she has some thoughts to share on the value of rest for mission-driven leaders.
- Carole Ann
All athletes know that rest days are essential to our ability to push harder and increase our strength, skills, and endurance over the long-run. Without the rest days, our bodies would fight back and fail us, resulting in chronic pain and serious injuries. This is true not only for formal athletes, but anyone who maintains a regular workout schedule–we’re athletes too!
The same is true for the white space in all types of art—it’s the unseen but crucial component that helps create the beauty we experience, whether it’s in the form of visual art, music, dance, film, theater, or literature. The silences typically go unnoticed, but we sure do gain appreciation for them in their absence. I recently volunteered backstage at my daughter’s dance recital, which lasted 3+ hours, and the absence of an intermission was undoubtedly felt by everyone involved both backstage and in the audience!
Likewise, if we crammed our resumes with paragraphs of words in small font with the narrowest margins possible, the hiring manager’s eyes would glaze over and our credentials would be fast-tracked straight to the recycling bin. Again, that white space allows our eyes space to rest—the ability to process the meaningful information in front of us.
So why is it so difficult for us to apply the same “white space” to our lives?
As mission-driven leaders, we dedicate our time to a wide range of incredibly meaningful work, both paid and volunteer-based, all of which we care deeply about and remind us of the ways we’re living in alignment with our values. By filling our calendars with so many important commitments, it can fill us with a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
Yet these responsibilities can become overwhelming to juggle with the other priorities in our personal lives–family, friends, hobbies, self-care. Self-care is often the first to go, or something we do only when our schedules allow. Why do we let that happen even when we know in our heads that self-care is not selfish? When you slow down and allow for more white space, it can feel unnatural and leave you feeling restless. You might even notice that inner critic's voice telling you that you’re lazy.
But is our self-worth measured by our busy schedules? I’m a huge proponent of the growth mindset—that our accomplishments are driven by the effort we put in. The downside to this mindset is that it often tricks us into thinking we need to constantly DO things. We may ask ourselves: “How else could I live my best, most successful life, creating a meaningful, lasting legacy in the world if I wasn't constantly doing?”
Getting out of our heads and convincing ourselves to consistently prioritize TRUE rest days requires a reminder that the value we bring to the world is not measured by quantity, but by quality.
The white space will look differently to each person. Whatever it looks like to you, it’s time to start paying attention to it before you end up feeling like you’re struggling to keep your eyes open during a never ending dance performance, or worse—that you end up with a serious injury because you didn’t take those essential rest days.
In that spirit, I decided that the white space I need in my life this year includes taking the summer off so I can go on an “Inner Field Trip”
Like many of you, my tank has been running on fumes after the last 2 years of navigating the whole “working parent during a pandemic situation.” I’m giving myself permission to stop and breathe without accomplishing any of my professional goals, which feels strange but freeing. Apropos since my guiding word for 2022 is freedom! I always dreamed of being in a position to take a summer off, and I feel fortunate that time has come. I know this white space will help me show up in the fall as an even stronger, more impactful coach, parent, wife, daughter, social justice advocate, and leader in life.
Of course, taking the time off this summer will not replace the rest days that I must still prioritize on a regular basis throughout the rest of the year. If practice makes progress, this time off will serve as a physical signal to my body that I’m no longer running from the stressors of the last 2 years, and a reminder to my head that a growth mindset does not require constantly pushing, doing, serving others, or checking things off my never ending “to do” list.
Now please excuse me, while I take this intermission to stretch my legs. I’ll see you for the second act in September!
