Continuing the Theme of Silence
So here’s an interesting discovery: noise is exhausting. That’s what I’m experiencing this morning. For a variety of reasons I’m not feeling as energetic as I usually do. Could be an “end-0f–the-week” thing, or even the result of my brain being in idea-generating mode for the better part of this week (like full-on, no-holds-barred, couldn’t-stop-it-if-I-tried idea-generating mode). It could even be that my body is fighting a bug of some sort. No matter what the cause, however, the fact is I’m tired.
This is not a new experience for me, and my guess is you can relate to it too. Fatigue, after all, is part of the human experience. And it’s definitely part of the leadership experience. As a leader you’re on the go, on the move, doing what needs to be done, hearing what needs to be heard, responding to what needs to be responded to. What I’m being reminded of this morning is that, when I’m tired — and in particular when my brain is tired — there’s a way that “noise” of any kind takes my already tired self and quickly moves me into the land of complete and utter exhaustion. Which, given the world that we live in, is rather a hazardous situation.
I know I’ve talked before about the importance of silence — the importance of creating it, of accessing it, of allowing yourself to get still and really immerse yourself in it. Have you tried doing so? It can be a challenge, no doubt about it. Everywhere you turn, there’s noise. Even as I sit here in my “quiet” living room typing this blog, I’m aware of my child splashing in the tub, my other child muttering about the hockey stats, the furnace making some sort of white noise, my keyboard clicking away, the fridge humming, the dog breathing (actually, snoring) — sounds are everywhere. And when I’m tired, these sounds feel prohibitive to my recharging. So, what’s the solution? My sense is that I need to let some of the sounds just be what they are (the furnace), do my best to minimize or turn off the others (my typing), and make reasonable requests of those around me to take the noise down, even if only for a few moments (reasonable means I’m not asking anyone to take a vow of silence, or stop splashing in a tub). I’m realizing that one of the ways that I can circumvent the draining effects of noise is to consciously turn my focus to the sounds that are soothing rather than the sounds that are draining. I’ve got to. Because unless I do, I will spiral into total exhaustion, which doesn’t allow me to be any good to anybody. Definitely contrary to playing my best leadership game. And trust me; this lesson holds true for you too.
Bottom-line: taking a break, giving yourself permission to rest, includes giving yourself permission to turn off or tune out the noise. I’ve talked about finding answers in silence. Believe me, silence can also recharge you. So here’s my challenge to you: carve out a 15 minute block and allow yourself to be as silent as possible, in as much silence as possible. Immerse yourself in it. Feel yourself recharge. Good stuff comes from silence.
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