Down time ?

35 years ago I smoked 20-25 cigarettes a day when it was still acceptable to stand or sit with my fellow smokers getting in the required nicotine levels before our break was over. That down time was precious and, at times, we were envied by our non - smoking colleagues who chose to cut out a break time here and there, in a bid to get their work completed quicker and go home. Occasionally grumbling at being left to "hold the fort".

That de-stressing option of taking time out, admittedly giving lungs an unhealthy dose of smoke, allowed for legitimate ways of coping and hearing others vent opinions and options to select about the ups and downs of day to day events. Being with fellow smokers enabled me to judge if my life was better or worse than those I was working alongside.

The human condition to still be able to make that judgement about how "good" a life we are leading remains. The desire to check up on ourselves hasn't gone away, nor has the need to reduce stressors impacting on us in our working life. So what has replaced it? Is it the catch up on Facebook posting inane messages and sharing fun stuff that others have sent you - scattering them daily to those whom you have agreed to accept as "friends"? Perhaps its taking part in the moment by moment twitter feed so loved by celebrities and D. Trump? Or Instagram photos of cats (more are posted than of dogs) to spice up our on- line lives. For younger people it seems to be the constant looking and sharing mobile phone apps, txts and other steaming options,banking,games,films. That's fine it's a person's right to choose how their leisure time is used.

What about at work? We have policies and procedures to explore better people engagement ( at times with less direct communication ); seeking ways to heighten customer service ( provide service quicker than previously); managers and supervisors sharing how to avoid risk -taking so that it at time seems to limit innovation for fear of harming the brand. Having downtime is for some workplaces seen as an interruption to the day, with workers expected to be actively engaged with work more and more - yet 4 out of 5 employees are disengaged at work; 2 in 5 are actively seeking to move jobs and managers spend a lot of time at unproductive meetings.

I frequently share with managers and executives that thinking time is a necessary part of their working day and not to be ignored or replaced by "being active or looking busy". What if people's down time was not seen as undesirable? Perhaps it could be looked at as a natural part of the working day. Time set aside to inspire each other, and offer a personal reward ( rather like "hit" of nicotine in the smoking break from the past). What if down time was not seen as a highly regulated condition of work thing (paid or unpaid for) rather a necessary approach to working effectively in teams. Teams are made up of individuals who could use down time differently. Some workers need greater reflection time, whilst others require verbal expression with each other to gain perspective on work issues.

What if all the down times were rolled up into 1 hour of conversation each month on a topic where people could talk about the stuff that was in their work or lives? Where they could set an accountable commitment and elect to have a buddy to keep them focused? Worth a look at for you or your tribe?

www.livelifelightly.com.au shares how that can be a reality for you and your teams.