“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
Anne Lamott
Recharge Your Leadership: The Power of Unplugging
I’ve shared this quote before because it’s one I need to hear on repeat. Life, leadership, and everything in between can feel like a constant sprint. When we’re always on, always available, we forget that sometimes the most powerful move is stepping away. Not as an escape, but as an intentional reset.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed, maybe you’re not broken—maybe you just need to unplug.
Why Leaders Must Pause
Think about the last time you felt truly clear-headed. Was it in the middle of a packed calendar or a quiet moment where you had space to think?
Unplugging isn’t about doing nothing; it’s about creating space for what really matters. When you pause, you’re not abandoning your responsibilities—you’re showing up for them differently. You’re recalibrating. You’re reconnecting with the values and goals that drive you.
Without this intentional reset, we run the risk of leading on autopilot, responding to the next thing without ever questioning if it’s the right thing.
Rest Is Not a Weakness
I used to believe that rest was a luxury—something to squeeze in after the real work was done. But rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a discipline.
Leaders who value rest demonstrate a rare kind of strength: they lead themselves first. Rest sharpens your focus, strengthens your resilience, and gives you the energy to model what a sustainable pace looks like for your team. When you unplug, you remind yourself and others that balance isn’t a soft skill; it’s a necessity.
If you want to dive deeper into the science of rest, Arianna Huffington’s The Sleep Revolution is worth your time. It’s a game-changer for anyone who’s been running on fumes.
Burnout Is Preventable
Burnout doesn’t arrive unannounced. It starts quietly, with the skipped breaks and the ignored signals that you’re running on empty. But it’s also preventable. Small, intentional moments of pause can change everything. A five-minute walk, stepping away from the screen, or even taking a deep breath between meetings can shift your entire day.
Step Away to Step Up
Unplugging isn’t an indulgence; it’s a strategy. It’s how you show up as the best version of yourself—for your team, your family, and your own goals.
Today, I challenge you: find one moment to unplug. Let your mind settle. Let the reset happen.
