Why Scheduling “Nothing Time” is More Important than Ever
I remember hearing Jeff Weiner, ex-LinkedIn CEO, speak about how he schedules 90 minutes’ worth of “nothing time” into his schedule each and every day. Sometimes it’s a full 90 minute block. Other times is three separate 30 minute time slots.
His reasoning? Days can become so back to back that he didn’t have time to process, build relationships, or quite simply, catch his breath. Instead, he relies on his “nothing time” to think strategically, coach his team, or to get to-do’s done in between his meeting time.
At first glance, this shouldn’t seem like a wild or unreasonable expectation. Certainly, as owners of our own schedules, it seems completely possible to follow in Jeff’s footsteps and embrace a similar mantra.
However, we all know the feeling of the workday being so hectic that we forget to eat. Of being so back to back that you’re repeatedly 5 minutes late as you step from meeting to meeting. Working from home over the pandemic years, ironically, has exasperated this problem for many people.
How do we re-gain control of our calendars and feel less winded by 5 pm? How do we put Jeff’s 90 minutes of nothing time into practice?
Block it. Seems obvious, but step one is to add it to your calendar in advance. Time is tough to find on the fly if you’re trying to schedule free time in the thick of things. Another urgent task will always take over. Start each week by blocking off the precious nothing time.
Preserve it. Treat your nothing time like the most important meeting of your week. Too often, we are the first ones to say yes to others’ needs before putting our own first. Taking the nothing time will help you show up more fully, on track, and present. There’s plenty of time for other meetings to be scheduled around it.
Communicate it. Tell your leader and your team about your approach. Ask that they honor your calendarized time just as much as you do. Share your thinking behind it and how this approach to time management is setting you for success. When others can rally around you, they will also keep you accountable!
Navigating the busy work world of 2022 is certainly a lot different than it once was. Investing in your own nothing time will help you combat the challenges that are alive and well for most. Allowing yourself the buffer time will help you think more strategically, work less in your evenings and weekends, and ultimately make you a stronger performer and leader.