Being vs. Doing

As a leader we are always think that we need to be "doing" something. We need to be holding meetings, visiting clients, building relationships, engaging with our people. We are constantly on the go and even when we go home to our families we re-engage on our smartphones or computers and get re-plugged in at night. Leaders are then often overworked, busy, stressed out, and frazzled. Organizations and leaders seem to be on a hamster wheel of doing and it is often painfully taking them away from good health, from healthy relationships, and from well-being. 

Why is "being" so important? Being is the open space where leaders can reconnect with themselves and re-energize. It allows for creativity, innovation, strategic thinking, and vision to be developed and/or sustained. It also creates leadership presence which helps in deepening bonds and relationships inside and outside of the work place. So how can leaders learn to "be" more and in the end become much more productive as a result? "Being" can come in many different forms such as: physical health (e.g. - working out, walking, yoga, etc), short breathing exercises to de-stress, or even a mindfulness practice. It can also be practiced in the emotional or spiritual sense by connecting with nature, music, or with friends/spouse. All of these ways bring you back to your center and allow you become more present to the day to day "doing" that is you must also engage in as a leader.

What are some tools that you use to "be." When are you most present?​​