Why it matters: Leaders can’t run on high gear all the time. Rest isn’t wasted- it’s fuel. When you give your brain space to wander, you come back sharper, steadier, and more creative. That’s what makes you resilient in tough seasons.
Car rides are for me.
My brain does what it wants to do- sometimes it wants a podcast or audiobook, but lately it wants a sci-fi mystery. I let it.
Years ago, a financial expert said to use your commute for “education and advancement”: learn a language, read a book, maximize your time.
I disagree now. We can’t always be doing input. Our brains need rhythms, just like the seasons.
We can focus hard at work, but we also need creativity, rest, and yes-delight. Burnout, fatigue, and overwhelm are real signs that we’ve been running too long without pause.
Lately I’ve talked to so many leaders navigating layoffs, uncertainty, and pressure. It’s hard to focus when you're just trying to keep your head above water.
So next time you’re on a long ride? Zone out. Or in. Sing, sit in silence, or just enjoy the scenery. Whatever your brain needs... do that. No guilt.
Dig a little deeper: Did you see I have a book all about human-centric leadership? Get on the waitlist to learn more about it as soon as it's published. Coming in 2025.
Talk soon,
Rachel
Leadership facilitator, coach, and human being
P.S. how cool is this Mario and Luigi!? As an avid Mario Kart fan, imagine my utter delight when I found this parked on the street. How did it get there? No idea, but I'm not mad about it.
Dig a little deeper: If you want to geek out on the science, check out this WorkHuman piece on the productivity of rest and how downtime boosts performance: The Key to Better Work Efficiency.
What’s next: On your next commute or walk, resist the urge to “fill” the time. Try five minutes of silence before you hit play on anything. Notice what ideas surface when you let your brain breathe.
Want More?
There's resources on the website for you to download, from free conflict resolution guides, to courses on human-centric leadership, and much more!
Feel free to explore them all.
Thanks for joining me on my search for novelty and one human-centric leaders's journey towards a more balanced life.
