Embracing Niksen to Reinvent Leadership, Life & Legacy

Niksen, derived from the Dutch word “niks,” meaning “nothing,” is a simple yet profound concept: the intentional practice of doing nothing and allowing your mind to wander without a goal or purpose.

This isn’t mindfulness, which requires focused awareness of the present moment. Nor is it meditation, which often involves structured techniques. Niksen is unstructured and liberating—it’s about granting yourself permission to pause, detach from constant productivity, and simply exist.

Why Niksen Matters in Reinventing Leadership, Life, and Legacy

For corporate leaders navigating the next chapter of their lives, niksen offers an antidote to the relentless drive to achieve and the overwhelming demands of modern life. It challenges the societal obsession with busyness and provides a valuable opportunity to reflect, recharge, and reimagine what’s next.

Research consistently shows that downtime is essential for mental health, creativity, and well-being. For leaders considering their legacy, embracing practices like niksen can lead to transformative benefits:

• Prevents burnout: Easing the constant pressure to be productive helps your mind and body recover.

• Boosts creativity: Unstructured moments of rest allow your brain to form new, unexpected connections.

• Enhances clarity: A decluttered mind can approach challenges with fresh perspective and focus.

• Increases energy: Intentional pauses replenish your mental and physical reserves, allowing you to engage more fully with what matters.

How to Get Started with Niksen

1. Anticipate—and Allow for—Initial Challenges

For many, the idea of embracing niksen can feel uncomfortable or even anxiety-inducing. Sitting still when your to-do list is endless may feel counterproductive. You might feel restless or find your mind racing as you think about what’s next on your agenda.

If this happens, try a quick journaling exercise before starting niksen. Write down everything on your mind—tasks, worries, plans. This brain-dump can make it easier to relax.

You might also feel external pressure to stay busy, as our culture often equates busyness with success. Reframe niksen as a powerful self-care practice that nurtures balance and clarity.

2. Create a Dedicated Space and Time

Choose a calming, distraction-free spot—a cozy chair, a window seat, or a quiet outdoor area. Schedule niksen in your calendar, treating it as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.

3. Start Small

Begin with five to ten minutes a day. Small, manageable intervals help you acclimate without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Disconnect from Technology

Turn off your phone or leave it in another room. Avoid the pull of notifications, emails, or social media to fully embrace unstructured time.

5. Pair Niksen with Existing Routines

Habit stack niksen with natural pauses in your day. Practice while sipping coffee, sitting outside during lunch, or lying in bed before sleep.

6. Resist the Urge to Be Productive

The hardest part of niksen is fighting the impulse to multitask or “optimize” the time. Remind yourself that the value of niksen lies in doing nothing. Productivity can wait.

7. Observe Your Surroundings

While niksen doesn’t require mindfulness, gently noticing your environment can enhance the experience. Watch the clouds, listen to ambient sounds, or observe the light in the room. Let your thoughts come and go without judgment.

8. Adapt the Practice Over Time

Niksen isn’t one-size-fits-all. Experiment with different settings—daydreaming on the couch, sitting in nature, or even lying in bed. Find what feels most natural and enjoyable for you.

Journaling Prompt

As you explore niksen, reflect on this: "What would it look like to intentionally create more unstructured moments in my life, and how might those moments shape the legacy I want to leave behind?"

Niksen isn’t just about doing nothing. It’s about creating space to recharge, think differently, and lead a life of greater intention and balance.