I’ll be honest, most people who know me would never describe me as quiet. At home, I can be loud on the phone, pacing around, talking through ideas, and yes, it drives my wife a little crazy. But recently, I’ve been discovering the benefits of something I didn’t think I’d ever embrace fully: quiet.
In today’s world, it feels like we’re overstimulated all the time. Phones buzzing, notifications popping, endless emails and meetings that never seem to end. There’s noise coming at us from every angle, both literally and figuratively. And somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t really giving myself the space to think, reflect or recharge. So I started carving out time just to sit in quiet. No phone, no distractions, no agenda—just quiet.
At first, it was a little uncomfortable. My brain wanted to start thinking about tasks, deadlines, and all the things I “should” be doing. But slowly, I started noticing the benefits. Physically, it helps lower stress and regulate your emotions. It can even lower your heart rate. Mentally, the effects are powerful too. Quiet gives your brain space to process, which boosts cognitive function and often sparks creativity in ways I didn’t expect.
Some of my best ideas recently have come while sitting quietly. It’s during those moments of stillness that I can reflect on myself, my leadership, and what I want to improve. It’s a chance to pause, ask tough questions of yourself, and think about what matters most without the constant chatter. Quiet time also improves sleep and helps reset your emotional state, so you show up calmer, more focused and more intentional.
I walk almost every day, usually 10 to 15 minutes, and that’s become my time for quiet reflection, separate from walking the dog or running errands. Just a short block of time can make a difference. And here’s the thing: you don’t need to meditate for an hour or go on a silent retreat. Even ten or fifteen minutes where you intentionally step away from distractions can change your mindset, your energy and your productivity.
So here’s my challenge: find your quiet time. Sit. Walk. Reflect. Observe. Let your mind wander without judgment. The benefits are creativity, focus, better sleep, lower stress, clearer thinking and they compound over time.
Leadership, business, life, it’s all noisy. And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is step back, sit quietly, and let your mind catch up. You might be surprised by what you discover about yourself and your work when you do.
Try it. See what changes. And when you do, share what you learned.