We all go through seasons when life demands everything we have.
Launching a business. Leading a major project. Preparing for a move. Caring for family. Managing deadlines that seem to multiply overnight.
In those moments, it’s easy to convince ourselves that the things we love can simply wait until life slows down.
Recently, I imagined a simple scene for an upcoming dance show that begins in an ordinary garage surrounded by moving boxes—a scene inspired by my own life over the past two months.
A Simple Reminder
A woman is packing boxes for a move. She’s tired, surrounded by work that still needs to be done.
She opens one forgotten box and finds something she hasn’t used in a while—a hip scarf she once danced in.
She smiles. She ties it around her waist, presses play on the music, and for just a few minutes, she dances.
The boxes don’t disappear. The move isn’t finished. The work is still waiting.
But something important happens.
She remembers who she is.
The Parts of Ourselves We Pack Away
As leaders, we often talk about resilience, productivity, and performance. Those things matter.
But I’ve come to believe that one of the greatest leadership challenges is protecting the parts of ourselves that have nothing to do with our job titles…
The artist. The runner. The musician. The gardener. The reader. The cyclist. And yes, the dancer.
These aren’t distractions from our leadership.
They are often the very things that renew the energy, creativity, perspective, and humanity we bring to others.
The irony is that these are usually the first things we pack away when life becomes busy.
Maybe the better approach is to leave them within reach.
Don’t Wait Until the Work Is Finished
So today, take the walk, play the piano, work in the garden, or dance for a few minutes.
Not because the work is finished, but because you’re not.
Leadership isn’t just about accomplishing more.
It’s about remaining connected to the person who is doing the leading.
Don’t Pack Away Who You Are
No matter how busy this season becomes, don’t pack away the part of yourself that reminds you who you are.
Because when you reconnect with that person, you don’t just become happier.
You become a better leader.
FAQs:
How can leaders avoid burnout during demanding seasons?
One important practice is maintaining connection to activities and interests outside of work. Exercise, creative activities, hobbies, time outdoors, and other meaningful pursuits can provide space to recharge and regain perspective.
Why are hobbies important for leaders?
Activities outside of work can help leaders reconnect with creativity, energy, perspective, and parts of their identity that are separate from their professional responsibilities.
What does resilience look like for a leader?
Leadership resilience isn’t only about continuing to work through pressure. It can also involve recognizing what restores your energy and intentionally keeping those activities within reach during demanding periods.
