Best advice I was ever given…
Best advice I was ever given…
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received on my journey to becoming a CEO was:
"Make sure you find time to do nothing."
I mentioned this to someone at lunch the other day, and his immediate response was, "But you're still doing something, thinking!"
To which I replied that what I'm talking about isn't thinking.
It's letting go of everything. To allow your intuitive mind to generate ideas and to give you the space to recognise them.
In a world obsessed with productivity, it feels almost radical to carve out time to do... nothing.
Yet, making time for nothingness is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. It’s not lazy, it’s not a waste—it’s essential.
We’re conditioned to think that constant action and ticking off to-do lists are the only paths to success. But what if the most transformative moments come from stillness?
A couple of weeks ago, I was mulling over which direction to move my coaching forward. I couldn't really connect to the answer.
So I decided to stop thinking about it.
I did a 45-minute beautiful breathwork exercise, 30 minutes of random dancing in my gym (my new thing), and then went for a freezing swim at our local Lido. By the time I'd finished all that, it was lunchtime.
When I sat down to work on my direction at about 2 p.m., the ideas just flowed. I didn't have to think about anything. I had my most productive day in months. I set up a webinar, worked out how to market it, figured out all the tech, put myself out there, prepared it, and went ahead with it a few days later. It was a roaring success.
I thought I'd maybe get a couple of attendees, but I ended up with 25 and a newfound love of video! It felt like I was playing a video game, and I'd opened up the next two levels!
All because I stopped thinking about it.
The Power of Doing Nothing
Think about the last time you allowed yourself to simply be—no phone, no work, no plan. How often do we truly give ourselves that space?
1. It Creates Mental Space
Doing nothing allows the mind to wander, and this wandering is where creativity blossoms. Some of our best ideas happen not when we’re striving to think of them, but when we allow ourselves to be open and receptive—like in the shower or while staring at the clouds. It's often in these moments that we find the solutions we've been striving for or discover new, unexpected inspirations.
2. A Chance to Listen to Yourself
When we're constantly in motion, we lose touch with our inner voice. Taking time to do nothing helps us reconnect. It’s in this stillness that you can hear what you truly want, beyond the noise of expectations and daily distractions. It allows us to recalibrate, understand what feels aligned, and make choices that are true to ourselves.
3. The Art of Restoring Balance
We talk a lot about balance—work-life balance, emotional balance—but how do we create that balance if there’s no space for stillness? Doing nothing lets the body and mind rest. Just as a muscle needs recovery time to grow stronger, so too does the mind need moments of quiet to perform at its best.
My Own Journey with Doing Nothing
I used to fill every moment with something—a project, a plan, a goal. I’d squeeze productivity out of every second, thinking that was the only way to thrive. But over time, I realised that my best decisions and most creative ideas often came during the moments when I allowed myself to do nothing at all.
Whether it’s sitting under a tree, gazing at the sky, or just letting my mind drift while sipping a coffee, these moments of stillness have become essential. They are what help me reset, gain clarity, and feel alive.
How to Create Your Own "Nothing" Time
1. Schedule It: Yes, it might sound counterintuitive, but schedule time to do nothing. Start with just 10 minutes. No phone, no distractions—just sit and let your mind be.
2. Step Away from Devices: The constant barrage of information keeps our minds busy. Create a device-free zone for your "nothing" time to fully disconnect.
3. Embrace the Discomfort: Doing nothing can feel uncomfortable at first. We’re not used to it, and the mind might try to pull you towards something "productive." Notice the discomfort, and let it be. Like anything new, it takes practice.
4. Connect with Nature: Go for a walk without a purpose, sit in a park, or gaze at the ocean. Nature has a wonderful way of reminding us that being is just as valuable as doing.
Final Thoughts
In a culture that glorifies "busyness," taking time to do nothing is an act of self-care and courage.
It's in the nothingness that we find creativity, clarity, and a deeper connection to ourselves.
How often have you struggled over a problem only to wake up the next morning with the answer having mysteriously appeared from somewhere in the night?
So this week, find time to do nothing. Embrace the stillness, let your mind drift, and see what magic unfolds.
Some Inspiration for Your Journey:
🎥 Watching Recommendation "The Beauty of Doing Nothing" - A short film that explores the importance of rest and stillness for a balanced life.
📘 Reading Recommendation "Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less" by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang – A fascinating read on the science of rest and why it's crucial for success.
🎧 Listening Recommendation "On Being with Krista Tippett" – This podcast has episodes that explore the value of stillness and the art of being, rather than always doing.
