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.
From the Place of Silence
There are many resources available out there that talk about “The Power of…” something or other. “The Power of Now,” “The Power of One,” “The Power of Less,” “The Power of Us.” Heck, one of my own company’s is called “The Power of Two.” And I don’t want to take away the power of anything in this blog. Instead, what I want to do is point to something that is often overlooked when it comes to the discussion of what is and isn’t powerful. And that’s silence.
Stop. Take a moment and just stop. Whatever you’re doing, whoever you’re talking to, whatever you’re thinking about, just stop. Turn off any and all sound-making gadgets, as much as you can. Radio, phone, television. Now, close your eyes and notice. Feel the silence that surrounds you. Can you feel it? Feel the strength of it? The power within it? The longer you stay with it, the more you’ll feel it. And sometimes that can be a bit uncomfortable. Silence is powerful for sure.
I bring this up today because I notice that many leaders overlook — or completely forget — the power of silence. How often do you feel like you’ve got to be talking, reading, typing, interacting with information in some way, shape or form? I’m willing to bet that non-silence is your primary way of being. It’s not surprising. It’s sort of the way of today’s world. And yet, what I know for sure is that so often what we seek — whether it’s answers, inspiration, peace, connection, grounding, whatever — is found in the silence.
As a leader, I assert that it behooves you to get comfortable with silence. Leadership is about inspiring change, growth and evolution, and these are most powerfully accessed in silent moments. Sometimes sound is necessary, for sure. And silence can be your greatest resource as a leader. Stumped by a question? Look to the silence. Feeling overwhelmed? Get grounded in the silence. Seeking inspiration? You’ll find it in the silence.
Bottom-line: silence has become a bit of a stranger to most people in our very fast-paced, gadget-inundated world. Get re-acquainted with silence and watch how your leadership transforms for the better. Silence is an effective leaders most powerful resource..
Your Mission, If You Choose to Accept It…
…is to be in silence for at least an hour. Seriously. While this may seem like a fairly simple task, let me assure you that the world in which we live makes this task anything but simple. You see, we live in a world of distractions — or at least, a world of so many things to attract our focus, that silence inevitably loses out. And this is a shame because so many of the answers we seek can be found in that very silence.
A couple of years ago, when I participated in a leadership training program, I was required to engage in 24 hours of silence. At first, my reaction was “yippee — time to catch up on my reading and journal writing.” Then we were told that the silence was actually all-encompassing — no reading, no writing, no talking. We could communicate with others — but not verbally. The challenge was to truly BE with ourselves and the silence. We were not allowed to distract ourselves with other activities (except those that were facilitated as part of our learning).
What I learned that day was incredible. At first, there was learning how to be with others — in silence. To feel their emotion, to hear their thoughts (even when they were saying nothing), to notice their way of being. Then, there was learning to be with me — with all of me, nothing to take away from whatever was true for me in the moment. And then, there was learning to be with the answers to my questions — because they were all there. Going to the quiet place served to remind me that anything I wanted, anything that had me puzzled, whatever I was questioning — the answers really do lie within.
I share this with you today, because I’m aware of an uncertainty in my world, as well as in the world at large. I woke up this morning wondering, and then remembering that it didn’t have to be complicated — that I could find what I sought within me. What I know for sure is that this same learning holds true for you. You need only go within, get comfortable with silence, give yourself time and space to get really quiet — and you will find what you’re looking for. Everything will become clear. And you’ll be able to move forward with certainty. Which is a great feeling.