With 2025 well on its way, many of us are immediately called to plan and execute the steps to our next set of goals. We are conditioned to equate constant motion with success. The early mornings, late nights, packed schedules, and overflowing inboxes become badges of honour in the relentless race toward goals, KPIs, and milestones. But what if the very thing we need to lead effectively or move closer to our goals isn’t more action but intentional rest between spurts of effort?

Welcome to a new way of thinking where one takes a slower, more intentional rhythm that invites clarity, creativity, and sanity back into your life. With the new year here, it’s time to embrace the art of slowing down, not as a weakness but as a superpower for leadership and life.

The Misconception of Rest as Laziness

Somewhere along the line, the notion of rest got a bad rap. We started associating it with being lazy, unproductive, or selfish. Rest isn’t just restorative; it’s a transformative piece of the performance and life satisfaction equation. It can be a powerful fuel source for effective decision-making, strategic planning, and long-term career sustainability.

Let me ask you a question: when was the last time you made a stellar decision while exhausted? Or felt truly creative when running on fumes? Our brains don’t function optimally without rest. Slowing down allows us to reset, recalibrate, and return to work with the energy and focus that leadership demands.

Why Leaders Struggle to Rest

My experience, as well as the experience of the many executives I’ve worked with as colleagues or as clients, can identify with feeling trapped on a treadmill. You may have achieved incredible success, but it may have come at the cost of your own well-being or life satisfaction. If you are anything like I was, you are so busy tending to your teams, families, and endless responsibilities that you’ve neglected to care for yourself.

It’s also worth noting that gender often influences the struggle to rest. Women leaders, in particular, often feel an added layer of pressure to balance professional success with societal expectations around caregiving, emotional and psychological labor. Meanwhile, men in leadership may feel driven to conform to traditional ideals of constant productivity, strength, and achievement, leaving little room to prioritize rest. These gendered expectations can create unique barriers, but the impact—burnout, exhaustion, and a lack of balance—is universal.

Here are a few common reasons leaders struggle to embrace rest:

The Fear of Falling Behind: Leaders worry that they’ll lose their edge if they slow down or limit their career progression in some manner.

Perfectionism: The desire to “get it all right” leaves little room for downtime and can contribute to analysis paralysis or micromanagement behaviour.

Cultural Expectations: The glorification of hustle culture reinforces the belief that rest is a luxury, not an essential component of success.

Habitual Overcommitment: When your calendar is perpetually full, or, as was in my case, a double-booked calendar, rest feels impossible to prioritize.

If any of this sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone and that there is a way out.

How Rest and Mindfulness Strengthen Leadership

Rest and mindfulness are essential elements of effective leadership and sustained performance. Rest restores the mind and body, providing leaders with the energy and mental clarity to manage their responsibilities with focus and purpose. Mindfulness complements rest by fostering self-awareness and emotional stability, allowing leaders to stay present and intentional in their decisions.

Mindfulness, in particular, plays a transformative role in shaping how leaders approach challenges. It enhances emotional balance and nurtures self-regulation, equipping leaders to respond to situations with clarity and composure rather than reacting impulsively. Scientific studies continue to validate these benefits. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology demonstrates that mindfulness practices can reshape the brain, strengthening areas responsible for emotional awareness and self-control. These changes improve decision-making and resilience—qualities every leader needs to guide their teams effectively. You can explore this research in more detail here.

When leaders incorporate rest and mindfulness into their daily lives, they set a powerful example for those around them. Prioritizing self-care and balance shows their teams that well-being matters, encouraging a healthier and more productive work environment. This approach enhances individual performance and cultivates a culture of wellness and intentional living, inspiring others to embrace these values in their own lives.

Practical Ways to Slow Down

Slowing down doesn’t mean abandoning your responsibilities; instead, it means approaching them with intention. Here are some ways to integrate rest into your leadership routine:

Start Your Day with Stillness: Before reaching for your phone or diving into emails, spend five minutes breathing deeply or reflecting on what matters most.

Embrace Micro-Breaks: Step away from your desk for five minutes every hour. Go for a walk, stretch, or sit in silence.

Set Clear Boundaries: Protect your evenings and weekends as a sacred time for rest and connection.

Prioritize Your Sleep: Recognizing that rest is a foundation, not an afterthought, it will be imperative to focusing on a good night’s sleep.

Schedule “White Space” on Your Calendar: Leave blocks of unscheduled time for creative thinking, problem-solving, or simply doing nothing.

The Courage to Step Off the Treadmill

It takes courage to prioritize rest in a culture that rewards busyness. You set the tone for your organization. When you model intentional rest, you allow your team to do the same, fostering a healthier, more sustainable workplace culture.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I can’t keep going at this pace,” consider this your invitation to pause. The treadmill isn’t going anywhere, but you have the power to step off.

A Special Invitation: January 18th Event

If slowing down feels impossible, I invite you to join me for a transformative experience on January 18th, 2025. Our virtual workshop, “Unlock the Power of Your Breath, Your Words, and Your Voice: Uncovering Inner Answers,” is designed to help you reconnect with your authentic voice, unlock inner wisdom, and gain clarity about your life’s direction.

During this 2.5-hour retreat-style workshop, here’s what you’ll gain:

A Deeper Connection with Your True Voice: Gain the clarity you need to express yourself authentically in every area of your life.

Transformation: Experience a profound shift in your internal state, leading to meaningful changes in your external circumstances.

A Renewed Sense of Purpose: Step into the New Year with a renewed sense of direction and confidence.

Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward a more balanced, intentional life.

Ready to Go Deeper? Room for up to 3 New Executive Clients

As the new year begins, I’ve opened room for just three new executive clients in my 1:1 coaching roster for this first quarter. If you’re done with the treadmill and ready to create a life of sanity, balance, and fulfillment, let’s hop on a call and get you started! 

The work we do together isn’t about quick fixes or surface-level solutions. Together, we’ll dive deep to uncover what’s truly holding you back, create actionable strategies for change, and build a life that reflects your highest potential.

A Final Thought

Slowing down isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what matters most with clarity and purpose. As leaders, we owe it to ourselves and those we serve to lead from a place of balance and alignment.

This year let’s redefine what success looks like. Let’s embrace rest as a powerful tool for growth and leadership. And let’s step boldly into 2025 with the energy, clarity, and resilience to thrive.