Busy to Balanced: Reclaiming Energy & Prioritizing What Fuels You
Technology is a double-edged sword. Access right at your fingertips to ALL kinds of information 24/7! But…if you’re a leader, the barrage of emails, texts and endless back-to-back meetings may have you feeling that being busy is just part of the role. At some point, all that busyness can morph into burnout, and that’s where executive coaching can make a big difference. At Nova Leadership, we know that real leadership isn’t about filling every hour of your calendar. It’s about aligning your time and energy with what matters most. But how can you do this? Let’s get into how you can move from busy to balanced in a way that fuels both your work and your life.
Why Do Leaders Feel Stuck in “Busy Mode”?
Q: Why is busyness such a big problem for leaders today?
A: The demands are constant. And most people we work with are managing incredible complexity in an ever-changing environment. A recent Forbes article captures it well: Leaders - Too Busy To Solve Your Busyness Problem?
“There is never enough time. Not enough time to prepare for a meeting, so we go in cold. Not enough time to meaningfully connect with our teams, so projects travel unchecked down the wrong path, or stall altogether. Too busy to step back and consider – is all of this “busyness” getting us anything other than exhausted? Perpetual time scarcity is the state in which most executives live. So much so that we start to believe that this is just how it is and that surviving, rather than thriving, is the only possible outcome.”
The last line sums it up: “that this is just how it is and that surviving, rather than thriving, is the only possible outcome.” It doesn’t have to be that way! You can THRIVE in your workplace and not just survive. We promise there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Q: Why is it so hard to break the cycle?
A: Let’s set the record straight. Working longer is not necessarily working smarter. We tell our clients all the time: focus on impact, not effort. People are so caught up in being busy, or making sure that they attend every meeting or call that it creates a vicious cycle: the “too caught up in busyness to run the business” outlined above! According to Hintsa, busyness has even become a modern-day status symbol, a way of showing importance rather than effectiveness. Leaders wind up drained and worn out instead of feeling like they are producing meaningful results.
Getting Your Energy Back with Practical Shifts That Work
Get clear on your values. We talk about this often because it is so foundational to leadership success. Values drive priorities, and priorities drive how you spend your time. Your calendar should always reflect what matters most to you! If you want some help to get started, we recommend checking out our Clarity in the Chaos Workbook.
Think balance, not perfection. Simply put, balance is a pendulum, and it'll swing back. So many of the high-achieving leaders we work with set the bar SO high for themselves and their team—constantly. Recognize where things have to be 100% buttoned up, and where the 80% solution just might move you forward quickly.
Take care of yourself (TCOY). Be active, get fresh air, stay hydrated, and last but not least, rest. You’re no good to others when you’re operating from a depleted state. If you want some quick tips on this, check out our blog post on the value of Taking Time for Yourself.
Listen, pause, reflect. Instead of jumping from one thing to the next, take time to check in with yourself and with your team. You’ll not regret taking the time to do this step. That small pause between stimulus and response can make all the difference. Check out our Aligned Workbook to help you stay in touch with what really matters.
Find your people. You’re probably well aware by now that a sense of connection can reduce stress. Make it a priority to spend time with people you care about. In fact, we challenge you to reach out to someone TODAY who you’ve not spoken to in a while, or someone who’s had an impact on your life. A quick text or email from you could make their day (and yours!)
What Balance Really Looks Like
Q: Is “balance” realistic for busy executives?
A: Balance doesn’t mean you have to split your time evenly between work and life - we all know that’s impossible. It’s about making intentional choices that keep you on track with your values and what matters most.
Q: How does balance fuel leadership?
A: You can tell when someone has balance in their life. They generally seem more put together, have more clarity, and are more present in the moment. When you’re not constantly mentally exhausted from the day-to-day, you tend to make better decisions and can communicate more effectively. The people you surround yourself with will pick up on this and know that they’re in a supportive environment.
So, Let’s Recap
Busyness doesn’t equal effectiveness.
Your values should play a foundational role in your time, energy, and impact.
Balance is a pendulum, not perfection. Expect the swing.
Taking care of yourself is always important.
Be intentional about connection with others.
Balance for Executives & Energy Management for Leaders
Switching from busy to balanced starts with intentionality. If you feel drained and constantly behind in both life and work, then it’s time to pause and reset. At Nova Leadership, we believe that reclaiming energy is the foundation of powerful leadership. By focusing on values, reflection, and well-being, you’ll find a rhythm that allows for true balance & energy management for leaders. In our 1x1 and group work, we help leaders get clear on what matters most and redefine their path to purpose.