The Truth About Those 3 AM Emails

When was the last time being constantly "on" led to your best decision? 

If you're struggling to remember, you're not alone.

In an era where burnout is celebrated as dedication, a counter-intuitive movement is emerging in leadership circles. It's not about working less – it's about leading better.

Last month, I sent an urgent email at 2:47 AM. 

By morning, half my team was awake, stressed, and working on responses.

That's when it hit me: 

My lack of boundaries wasn't just hurting me – it was burning out my entire company.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: 

Most of us run our companies like we're still in startup mode, even when we're way past that stage. 

We wear our sleepless nights like badges of honor. 

We respond to midnight messages like they're medals to be won.

But let me share something I wish someone had told me earlier: 

Being always-on doesn't make you a better leader. It makes you a reactive one.

The change started small for me. Instead of diving into emails first thing, I started taking 15 minutes each morning to just... think. 

No phone. No laptop. Felt weird at first. Felt like I was slacking off.

Then something interesting happened. My responses became more thoughtful. My decisions, clearer. 

My team stopped walking on eggshells, waiting for my next midnight brainstorm.

The real game-changer wasn't the morning ritual itself – it was the message it sent: 

That it's okay to pause. That reflection isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. That maybe, just maybe, those 3 AM emails could wait until morning.

Your team isn't inspired by your ability to work 24/7. 

They're inspired by your ability to lead with clarity. And clarity doesn't come from exhaustion.

Start small. Pick one boundary. Stick to it. Watch what happens.

For me, it's no emails after 9 PM. Is it hard? 

Some nights, incredibly. Has the company fallen apart? Quite the opposite.

What would becoming a more centered leader mean for your company? For your team? For yourself?

Catch you in the next one…

Hoyin Cheung,

Hermessi.com

P.S. If you found these tips helpful, share them with friends who might need a productivity boost. It’s a small action that can make a big difference! 😉

P.P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts or any strategies you use to have 100% attention while working. Feel free to reply or connect with me on LinkedIn or X. Let’s continue the conversation and boost our productivity together!