I was reminded today of a syndrome many leaders fall for. It’s the syndrome of being busy. Too busy checking. But checking what? How much time do you spend checking. . .
Texts?Messages?
Voicemail?
Emails?
Stats?
Updates?
Analytics?
Metrics?
Chats
Tweets?
Comments?
To do’s?
I go to do trainings, or coach an executive team, and I see the busy executive tempted to be consumed by constantly checking. It keeps them in the “fire fighting mode.”
One of the problems with fire fighting mode is that it fires your automatic system of “flight or fight” response. Looking for something. Anything. And whether or not its important, you are on alert. It makes you feel like a hero. It keeps you busy. It makes you think you are doing something important.
As a result, your body keeps releasing adrenalin and cortisol, the stress hormones. When that is the case,
- Your reasoning powers are diminished
- Your stress level skyrockets
- You are irritated most of the time
- You become “addicted” to your own adrenaline
- therefore, you continue constantly checking. . .
- and the cycle goes on and on.
Checking has its place, and can be important. . . as long as you keep it under control and don’t let it control you.
Sadly, most of the time you are not completing anything by checking. Nor are you taking care of the more important strategizing, planning, setting goals, inspiring, and all those other higher order tasks that make you a great leader.
Merely checking can be dangerous, because,
You’re not really doing anything important.
You’re just filling time.
You’re just stressing yourself out.
You’re just checking. . .
Photo by: sleepyneko