Hurry Up And Wait

In the business world, it’s an old saw that raises eyebrows. But here, we say taking a timeout is occasion to raise a glass.

As Chief Nut Officer for Cane River Pecan Company, I’ve clocked some of the most consequential hours of my business’s history in solitude. Specifically, aboard my sailboat, the Gone Pecan, out at Cypremort Point.

Because for me, escaping from the office is as much a moment to take care of business as it is an opportunity to unwind. But the thing is, I’m convinced hitting pause and hitting the books on your business are two sides of the same coin.

If you spend your days in spreadsheets, working on numbers, odds are you’ll start to look at people that way. And when it comes to relationship-building—the true secret sauce of success—that’s more than a little counterproductive.

More often than not, we insufferable Type-A’s tend to consider “time out” to be “dollars lost.” But if you’re anything like me, and you genuinely love what you do, you’ll find that’s not quite the case.

It’s only when we shut down the typical tools of our trade that we can think beyond the noise. Because what better way to get out of the rut of “business as usual” than by escaping from just that?

So I say next time you find yourself in the dreaded “hurry up and wait” scenario, consider taking the time to explore the softer side of your business. Plot your escape. Stick to it. And while you’re out and about, ask yourself the following questions:

• Who have I not connected with lately that needs revisiting?
• What true value can I offer to my employees beyond just a pay increase?
• What’s a unique way our business can showcase its brand?

When you’ve got a payroll to make, self-reflection can feel like sacrilege. But more often than not, you’ll find yourself thinking in brand new ways.

Prove to yourself that you can hit pause. When you do, you’ll be amazed where your mind takes you.