The scent of sea salt hangs in the air, sun-laden waves lap at your feet, and the latest bestseller awaits your attention. It’s summer. The season of refreshment, relaxation, and rejuvenation. It's also the season of distraction. As top-tier executives, CEOs, and HR leaders, you're no stranger to this dichotomy. The choice between unwavering focus and countless distractions is a daily struggle. Let us address this pertinent issue, rooted in an age-old adage, "If you commit to nothing, you'll be distracted by everything."
The Neuroscience of Commitment
Before diving into the intricacies of the topic, let's step into the fascinating world of neuroscience.
Research in neuroscience suggests that the act of commitment activates the prefrontal cortex, the brain's center for decision-making and goal-setting. Essentially, when you make a commitment, your brain creates a cognitive framework that keeps distractions at bay and maintains focus on the task at hand. Conversely, when you fail to commit, the limbic system - responsible for emotional responses and memory - takes the wheel. In this state, you become vulnerable to every distraction that crosses your path.
As neuroscientist Amishi Jha puts it, "Our attention is the most valuable resource we have. When we don't protect it, it's like leaving the crown jewels on the front lawn."
The Tale of Two CEOs
To better illustrate this principle, let’s explore the tale of two fictional CEOs - the passionate Peter and the focused Fiona.
Peter, a charismatic leader of a thriving tech start-up, is passionate about every aspect of his business. He dips his toes in every project, embraces every new idea, and jumps on every opportunity. Peter is an avid multitasker, or so he believes. The result? He is often overwhelmed, misses deadlines, and struggles to keep his company on track.
On the other hand, we have Fiona, the CEO of a competing tech firm. Fiona practices the art of commitment. She chooses her battles wisely and fully commits to a selected few projects. While Peter is swamped with unfinished tasks, Fiona delivers excellence, on time, every time. Under her focused leadership, her company grows steadily, outpacing Peter's in every metric.
In this tale, Peter's passion is commendable, but it's Fiona's commitment that yields results. The key takeaway here isn't to curb your passions but rather to commit to them selectively, strategically.
The Balance: Commitment and Relaxation
But wait, isn't it summer? A time to kick back, relax, and let the mind wander? Yes, and rightly so. The caveat lies in finding the balance between commitment and relaxation.
Relaxation and downtime are essential for creativity and problem-solving. Indeed, neuroscience research shows that the brain's default mode network, which is active during periods of relaxation, plays a critical role in creativity and innovative thinking.
The trick is to apply the same principle of commitment to your relaxation time. Commit fully to that beachside novel, that afternoon sail, or that game of golf. When you allow your mind to fully engage in relaxation, you’ll find that it recharges more effectively, leading to increased productivity and focus when you return to work.
Embrace Commitment: The Call to Action
So, how do we bring this neuroscience to the boardroom, the home office, or even the beach cabana?
Choose Wisely: The first step is to choose your commitments strategically. It's okay, even necessary, to say no sometimes.
Commit Fully: Once you've chosen, commit fully. Let your prefrontal cortex take the reins and steer you clear of distractions.
Protect Your Time: Guard your attention like the crown jewel it is. Use tools like calendar blocking, set boundaries, and let your team know when you are and aren't available.
Relax Wholeheartedly: Apply the same principle of commitment to your downtime. Your brain will thank you for it.
As top-tier executives and HR leaders, the world demands much of your attention. The ability to commit to the right things, while embracing necessary downtime, is what separates good leaders from great ones. So as you enjoy your summer holidays, remember, if you commit to nothing, you'll be distracted by everything. Instead, commit, focus, relax, and reap the rewards.
In her latest book, Brighter Leaders’ CEO Lizzie Claesson, shares some practical exercises to commit and relax during holidays and free time. Look inside the book.