Hello Mobsters,

it's Francesca here, the mob’s business mentor and founder of we are ambition, Last week I talked a little about fundraising and I’ll bring you part 2 of this topic in the new year. However, with December in full swing, it’s important to talk about the importance of space and calm in the eye of the storm and why doing less is often more.

In a world that celebrates hustle and productivity, downtime can feel like a guilty pleasure. But the truth is, it’s far from indulgent, it’s essential for growth. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating life’s demands, carving out space to pause, reflect, and recharge is one of the most impactful things you can do for yourself.

Here’s a reminder about how downtime isn’t just important, it’s essential for growth:

1. Growth Happens in the Gaps

Think of growth as a cycle: effort, pause, reflection, repeat. The moments of pause, the gaps are where clarity and creativity thrive.

When you constantly push forward without rest, you risk burnout, diminishing returns, and missed opportunities for innovation. Downtime gives your brain the chance to process information, make connections, and spark new ideas.

It’s no coincidence that “aha” moments often occur during a walk, a shower, or a quiet moment, not when you’re buried in a to-do list. For me there is no greater spark of creativity than walking my doggies.

2. Recharge to Perform at Your Best

Myth Buster: Downtime isn’t about doing nothing; it’s about restoring energy so you can show up at your best. High performance doesn’t come from working harder, it comes from working smarter, which includes prioritising recovery. For me, I like nothing more than a good trashy movie at this time of the year, and if you haven’t seen it yet, everyone is talking about ‘Hot Frosty’ yes, you heard me, the movie about the snowman who turns into the hot guy (I’ll link it below). If I have sent you running at the thought, then you’ll know what gives you the space and time to switch off and recharge!

Rest isn’t a weakness; it’s a strategic advantage. Just like athletes build recovery into their training plans, leaders and creators must build rest into their routines to maintain focus, resilience, and stamina.

3. Space for Reflection Fuels Direction

When was the last time you paused to ask:

Am I aligned with my values?
Are my actions leading me closer to my goals or further away?

Without reflection, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “busy for the sake of busy.” Downtime creates space for intentional reflection, helping you course-correct and ensure your energy is focused where it matters most.

The MOB can help you with this. they are hosting a free vision and goal-setting workshop in london, this wednesday, 11 december in partnership with location location, head to the events page to find out more.

4. Creativity Flourishes in Stillness

Creativity doesn’t thrive in chaos; it thrives in calm. When your mind has room to wander, it starts making unexpected connections, generating fresh perspectives, and uncovering solutions.

This is why some of the most creative minds (think Einstein or Da Vinci) valued solitude and unstructured time as much as their work. If you want to think bigger, dream bolder, and create meaningfully, you need to give your brain the gift of stillness.

5. Downtime Strengthens Resilience

Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming when you’re constantly on the go. Downtime helps you reset emotionally, mentally, and physically, giving you the resilience to handle adversity with grace.

When you make rest a priority, you build a foundation of calm that helps you respond to challenges thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

How to Build Downtime Into Your Life

Schedule It
Treat downtime like any other commitment. Whether it’s a daily walk, a weekly “no plans” evening, or a quarterly retreat, put it on your calendar and honor it.
Embrace Micro-Downtime
Even small moments of pause, like five minutes of deep breathing or a short coffee break can make a big difference.
Disconnect from Noise
Set boundaries around technology and notifications during your downtime. Create space free from distractions to truly recharge.
Reframe Rest as Productive
Shift your mindset: Rest isn’t wasted time; it’s an investment in your growth and success.

In Summary

Growth isn’t just about doing more, it’s about pausing to let the seeds you’ve planted take root and flourish. Downtime isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for clarity, creativity, and resilience.

So, if you’ve been running on empty, consider this your reminder: It’s okay to slow down. In fact, it’s one of the smartest things you can do. Because when you take time to recharge, reflect, and create space, you’re not just growing, you're thriving.

So if you are starting to feel a little ragged heading into the festive season, take a moment to look at the calendar over the next few weeks and see if you can’t just make a little more space for you! Remember the business world in many areas takes a back seat at this time of year, so if things are moving slowly, don’t fight it, just embrace the space and take the time for you.

What’s one way you can create space for downtime in your life this week or are you just simply flat out? Let me know in the comments.

Weekly recommendations:

Netflix Hot Frosty Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmi794YO-0w
Weekly Read (because I like a book to relax with): Breath, The New Science of A Lost Art, a book about breathwork by James Nestor

Have a great week Mobsters, and as always please feel free to leave feedback or ask a question in the comments below!

francesca x

the mob resident business coach, founder of we are ambition and sen parent

who is mobster francesca?

Hi, I am Francesca Hodsgon, Founder of We are Ambition and mum to Oliver and Harry who are now 11 and 7. I am an exited tech founder on a mission to help millions of people find mental clarity and to inspire and support business leaders of the future.

It's a pleasure to be a guest writer and resident business coach for The MOB (Mums Who Build). Every Monday I will be sharing my blog to help motivate and inspire you to build the life and future your want in motherhood. If you have a question you can drop me a DM anytime.

WHo are mums who build? (the mob)

Founded in 2023 by two east london mums rebecca coxshall and georgie harris.

the MOB (mums who build) is a dynamic community created to help mums build their financial knowledge, grow their careers, and achieve business success. Focused on empowering mums, we offer networking opportunities, skill-building workshops, and resources to boost confidence and mindset. From tackling impostor syndrome to setting career and business goals, our supportive ecosystem encourages mums to connect, collaborate, and thrive. Join Mums Who Build to access valuable insights, share experiences, and grow alongside a network of like-minded mums dedicated to building brighter futures together.

If you are able to get to London, we'd love to meet you! Come down and see us in person at one of our events. The MOB also hosts regular 'Mobster Hangouts' - free mum meet-ups (kids welcome) - weekly in Walthamstow and monthly in Stoke Newington, full details of these are on the Events page.

Got a question for us? Drop us an email: mobster@mumswhobuild.com

The importance of downtime, making space for growth, by Francesca Hodgson