Reclaiming Joy: Why Leaders Need to Do Things for the Pure Sake of It

Recently, I had one of those A-ha moments—the kind that makes you pause in your tracks and question something that’s been running silently in the background of your life.

I realized that almost everything I do has a purpose. A goal. An outcome.

Even when I think I’m doing something for me—like going to the gym or walking the dog—it’s often tied to a broader objective. Health. Productivity. Routine. Performance.

And while those are noble pursuits, I found myself asking: When was the last time I did something just for the joy of it?

When was the last time I played for the sake of play? Explored with no destination? Connected with someone without an agenda?

As leaders, we’ve been taught—often rewarded—for being outcome-driven. It's wired into our work and culture. We chase KPIs, measure performance, and tie our time to results. Even our hobbies sometimes carry the burden of self-improvement or social validation.

That’s why I decided to challenge myself. I drew a picture. Not to sell. Not to post. Not to improve a skill or achieve a goal. Just... because.

Let me tell you—it felt strange at first. My mind kept whispering, “This is a waste of time. You should be doing something productive.” I felt itchy to move on to my to-do list, to earn that little dopamine hit of checking off a task.

But the more I let myself sit with it, the more I felt something deeper begin to shift. Relief. Joy. Presence. Curiosity.

Why Doing Something “Just Because” Actually Matters

When we allow ourselves to do something without a defined outcome, we unlock an entirely different part of ourselves. Here’s what we stand to gain:

• Innovation: Creative breakthroughs often emerge when we’re relaxed, not striving.

• Curiosity: Exploring freely invites wonder and possibility.

• Mental Well-being: Playfulness reduces stress and burnout.

• Mindfulness: Being fully present without performance pressure is a powerful reset.

No, I’m not abandoning goal-setting or self-improvement. These are cornerstones of strong leadership. But absolute thinking—the kind that says every minute must be optimized—leads to fatigue, rigidity, and disconnection.

The magic lies in the middle. Where intention and spontaneity coexist. Where you can pursue excellence while making space for aliveness.

So here’s my invitation to you: What can you do this week purely for the sake of doing it?

Paint. Dance. Build a sandcastle. Call someone just to say hello. Let it be imperfect. Let it be free.

Because leadership isn’t just about vision and results—it’s also about modeling what a full, present, and joyful life can look like.

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If this article resonated with you and you’re interested in working with me as an Executive Coach—either personally or for your organization—visit www.potentialunlimited.ca or email me at ceo@potentialunlimited.ca to schedule your FREE 20-minute Discovery Call. Let’s explore how you can lead with more clarity, balance, and purpose.