So we're less than three months away from the end of the decade.
Let that sink in... Time moves fast.

Where were you 10 years ago, at the end of 2009? Look back at what was going on that year and how far you've come since then.

I bet you've made more progress than you thought.
And looking ahead, what will you regret not doing by the end of 2019?
If you're not sure, create some space for yourself in the next couple of weeks to work it out.

This weekend I was at a retreat in Devon run by my coach doing exactly that. Sometimes we need to be removed from our usual environments (work and home) to create the space we need to think differently, surface new ideas and see alternative options.

When we're in doing mode it's hard to get enough distance to reflect. This is particularly critical for those of us in leadership roles where we're carrying the pressure of our individual and collective team outcomes. When people are looking to you for the answer.

I'm advocating for a weekend away to re-set. If that's challenging for you, here are some other ways to create space:

- Pick one morning (or more) where you don't look at your phone or e-mails until you get on the train or reach the office - use your morning routine to set your headspace for the day
- Get off a tube stop early and walk the rest of the way to the office - no phone, no music, just being present and looking around as you walk
- Sit outside or walk in the countryside on your own
- Practice meditation or breathing exercises where you're encouraged to notice the space between breaths.

And if you think you're too busy delivering leadership stuff for these hippy ideas, listen to this Zen proverb "You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day — unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour."

Stop with the incessant busy. Create some space and make the end of this decade your best yet. Hit reply and let me know how you're creating space.

P.S. Sometimes you just need a break. Leadership can be exhilarating and draining. Create space to relax and re-focus.