Changing something for the better requires thought. It’s rarely achieved by chance or an impulsive reaction. And thought requires time and focus. Both of which are hard to get if you're busy all the time. So the key to creating something, to affect something or someone in a meaningful way is to make time for it…to create some slack. This shouldn’t be treated as a by product or something to happen after your important work is completed. On the contrary, this is part of the important work…a big part.
Too much time on your hands leads to waste. Not enough curtails creativity. In between there’s a sweet spot. Time to focus, time to think, time to choose. If you’re in the business of leading, of making change and being responsible for decisions and not just sorting or pulling levers, you need slack. It’s big part of your job. Please go make some.