Helping ambitious managers reclaim their time and be exceptional leaders. Weekly advice, how-tos and latest thinking to get you ahead.
Why I’m Taking a Break (And Why You Should Too)
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Hi there, Just a quick one from me this week, there’s no video lesson this week, because I’m taking some proper time off with my family for Easter. And rather than just disappear, I wanted to say something about that. Because I think it matters — especially for those of us trying to lead well. We often talk about being strategic in our roles — but rarely do we talk about being strategic with our life. But if you’re not clear on what your personal goals are — with your family, your partner, your health, your friendships, your interests — work will just creep in and take over. Every time. Because work expands to fill the space you give it. So part of being a great leader is knowing when to stop. When to create space. When to give time to the other goals that matter just as much — if not more. So if you're feeling stretched or you’ve not paused in a while, here are three quick tips that really help me create space without guilt: Tip 1: Write down your life goals. Not just your career ones — the personal ones too. What kind of parent, partner, or friend do you want to be? What experiences do you want to have more of? Seeing those goals in black and white makes it so much easier to protect them. I have five life goals that act as my north star. If you want to know how I developed them, I talked about them here Tip 2: Protect YOUR time like you protect meetings. Book it. Block it. Name it. Whether it’s a weekend away, a family walk, or just a quiet afternoon — if it’s in the calendar, it’s real. Otherwise, work will fill the vacuum. Oh yes, and then discard the phone! Tip 3: Notice your own warning signs. Mine is when I stop enjoying small things — when everything starts to feel like a chore. That’s when I know it’s time to step back and reset. You’ll have your own signals. Pay attention to them. Leadership isn’t about constantly doing more. It’s about making better choices. And sometimes, the best choice you can make… is to pause. So that’s what I’m doing this week. And if you need permission to do the same? Take it. Enjoy the Easter break. See you next week. Best, Helen
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Leadership Accelerator Newsletter
Helping ambitious managers reclaim their time and be exceptional leaders. Weekly advice, how-tos and latest thinking to get you ahead.
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