Being available feels like leadership.
Quick replies.
Open calendars.
Constant access.
But here’s the truth most leaders don’t want to hear:
Being “always on” is one of the fastest ways to drain your energy—without noticing it.
Not because the work is hard.
Because the interruptions are endless.
Every message you check.
Every Slack notification you glance at.
Every “quick question” you mentally carry.
None of these feels heavy on their own.
But together? They create a constant cognitive tax.
You’re never fully off.
Never fully focused.
And never fully recovered.
That’s why so many leaders say, “I’m tired, but I didn’t even do that much today.”
I had a conversation with someone at an event a couple of weeks ago that clearly demonstrated this.
They wanted to be more present and intentional while on task.
But they were used to always being available for everyone because of potential “urgent” matters.
The truth is, not much is “urgent” within your workflow.
Prioritize clearly when you need to block yourself off and when you need to be open.
Most people try to solve this with rest:
But rest doesn’t fix energy leakage.
Protection does.
High-performing leaders don’t have more energy.
They’ve simply designed their lives so less of it gets stolen.
When you’re always available, you unintentionally teach others:
That might feel helpful in the short term.
In the long term, it quietly erodes:
And eventually—momentum.
Momentum doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from creating space to think clearly, decide cleanly, and act with intent.
That requires:
This isn’t about disappearing.
It’s about leading with intention instead of availability.
Mid-February is where energy quietly dips.
The year is in motion.
The calendar is full.
And many leaders are already in reactive mode—without realizing it.
If you don’t protect energy now, you won’t suddenly find it later.
Momentum fades long before burnout shows up.
Where has “being available” quietly become an energy drain for you?
What’s one boundary you could introduce this week—not to do less, but to lead better?
If you want one small shift each week that protects your energy and builds real momentum, join The Shift—my weekly newsletter on leadership, energy, and systems.
Chris Wilson
If this article was useful, you’ll enjoy The Shift — weekly insights on leadership and momentum, published every week since 2020.
Chris Wilson is a leadership keynote speaker and former aviator, and the creator of the Momentum Shift Framework. He helps leaders and organizations navigate change, make clear decisions under pressure, and restore forward momentum.
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