Episode 65: Shut Down to Reboot
Power Down
We all need a break - including our brains. Watch the magic unfold!
Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
A few weeks ago – I heard our new interim pastor give a sermon for the first time. He started the sermon by talking about how, in 2018, Starbucks shut down more than 8,000 stores at the same time for a training for their employees – 175,000 employees.
Do you remember that?
After an incident where a Starbucks manager called the police on two black men who were simply waiting for a colleague in a store in Philadelphia (they were ultimately arrested) - the stores were shut down for training on racial bias and respect.
Somewhere along the way – the focus of who they were and how they behave got lost. The incident may have occured at ‘only’ one store - but the impact was widespread.
They shut down in order to reboot.
How often do you do that? How often do you pause, take a break, let your brain, your energy, your body….just shut down
We can get so busy, so engulfed, so trapped by this hustle mentality – we might lose focus on what really matters and why we are doing what we are doing in the first place.
How might this look?
If you are a leader in an organization - you have a lot of spinning plates, the “do you have a minute”, the unexpected employee issues or project issues, the emails and the requests for your time.
Maybe you’re a teacher - beyond the actual prep and teaching - you are handling the impacts that world events has on education, the expectations of being an educator, the kid that acts out or the fight that happens in the hall or the realization that supplies are running low…
Or you’re a business owner – especially if you’re a soloprenuer – you are doing all of the things.
Layer on the rest of how life demands our time and consumes our brain space!!
It makes me think of my computer. I am one who has lots of windows and tabs open. I know that this sometimes slows things down. So, when I do a complete shut down, let it rest and then reboot…the computer performs much better. It’s refreshed and ready to go.
This is much like my brain. Yours too? So many tabs open all of the time.
Why Shut Down and Reboot
To minimize dissatisfaction and burnout.
To get back in alignment with your why, values and purpose.
When I talk about shutting down – giving yourself a pause – what comes up for you?
Some of you might be all about it. Maybe you already have a great practice for doing this and you find it amazing!
Some of you might have other thoughts, like:
“I can’t afford to take to reboot.”
“It’s selfish to do that.”
“I don’t have time.”
Or - there might be an underlying thought – “What if I don’t like what I discover?”
Some Ways to Shut Down and Reboot
Micro Shut Downs (can be during your regular day):
Take a walk
Take a longer shower
Drive the long way to work
During these times – just let your brain be silent – let it wander. Take notice of what comes up for you. The things that bring you joy may be connected to your why, your values and your purpose.
Intentional, Scheduled Shut Downs
Actually put some time on your calendar - anywhere from 2 hours to a ½ day to even going away by yourself for a night or two.
Allow yourself time for silence as well as reflection. During reflection - answer these prompts:
What is my why? Why am I a leader / business owner / [insert your thing here]? Revisiting your why gives you something to align to.
What are my values? Being clear with your values also helps in alignment with your actions and behaviors.
What am I not doing that I can start doing that supports my purpose / my why?
What do I need to stop doing? What do I need to shed so I can go back my true why / passion?
What am I doing well that I want to continue doing?
What limiting beliefs are getting in my way?
Am I too focused on the past?
How can I focus more on the future?
Shutting down to reboot is a period of rediscovery of who we are and what we do. It will not only impact this area of your life - but all areas of your life and those around you.
Reboot your leadership, your business, your life to reconnect with your purpose, your why and your values.
What do you think?
How will you commit to shutting down so you can reboot?
Links
Discover Your Values Worksheet
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