How a mix of ‘exhale plus inhale’ makes my world turn.

For the last couple of months, I’ve been breathing out.

Exhaling.

Soon, I plan to inhale.

It’s how musician Henry Rollins describes his method. One year, he’s on the road, touring. That’s his exhale year. The next year he inhales — getting all the inspiration for writing and performing. It’s how he works. One year exhaling, the next inhaling.

My work life isn’t segmented into such years. My intense periods of work are more ad hoc, when a project lands or a series of training is required.

Then I’m head down, running sessions and workshops and coaching. I barely come up for air.

When I’m in it, I love it. I’m busy, energised, doing the work I was put on this earth to do.

But I know that to output good stuff, I need good stuff in. When the frenetic few months or weeks are over, I’ll schedule in some inhale time.

My inhale time is essential. It feeds me, gives me the brain space to soak up new ideas, have fresh thoughts.

I get curious, have inspiration jaunts, take a few train rides, meet new people for the fun of it, catch up with old contacts, go to a gallery, dig my camera out and yes, visit a variety of coffee shops.

It’s the mix of exhale plus inhale that makes my world turn.

After your busy exhale periods, what do you do to inhale? What do you need to fuel your busy times?