We push ourselves to the far edges of what we can handle. Why? Is it part of our DNA? Or is it a foundational psychological flaw that rationalizes our desire to pack as much as we can into every day with the thinking that each extra minute will get us closer to that elusive magical state?
Ever hear the story about Einstein and Salvador Dali and their mid-day naps? Both believed that a well-timed nap cleansed the mind and opened themselves up to new ideas and creativity. I think of it as a palate cleanser.
I don’t care how you do it but I want you to find a tool to use daily that gives you time to NOT think about the business. Think of this as a mental nap.
Here are 11 simple and obvious signs that you need to find that tool:
Miss an important meeting. I forgot to show up for a relatively important meeting today. Sure we have all done it. I am sure that Dina and the startup founders in Chapel Hill will forgive me. It’s why I have a strong opinion about the role of the meeting organizer. But having important meetings front of mind is critical and too many mental distractions push this to the back of my brain.
Can’t remember key metrics. I have written on many occasions the need to makedata-driven decisions. The cousin of this idea is that there no more then 3 key metrics that you and your team operate by every day. Knowing these metrics would be key. Not knowing them is bad.
Make rash decisions. Oh the heck with it you say. Let’s hire that guy we met at that conference last week as the new CFO.
Flip flop on small decisions. We all occasionally change our minds on key decisions. That is to be expected. But to flip flop on the style of office chair or the format of the office party are bad signs.
Text messages at 2AM to team members. Nobody should be working at 2AM on any consistent basis. It’s just not healthy. And your team health will suffer as you signal to the staff an expectation that they should be on 24Ö7. They need mental naps as well.
Can’t sleep. My favorite is when you wake up in the middle of the night with your mind racing. Could be after 1 or 4 hours of sleep–it does not matter but you are done for the night. Up you go to watch TV or do some email.
Dont you want to see the other 5? Just a simple click here to see them on INC.com.