Are you a Hummingbird or an Owl?
Some of us hover. Some of us perch. And both see the things that matter.
I recently had a strategic workshop follow-up session with two sparky-brained businesswomen who are collaborating on a brilliant service, and the contrast in their working styles was both striking and so useful.
One had a more “incubator” pace. She flourishes with space to sift through options and mentally try ideas on for size. There’s depth, care, and a clarity about what really matters. She has an Owl approach and is less likely to make any rash decisions.
But that slower pace? It could also mean the venture gets bogged down.
The other? She was halfway through Googling implementation steps while we were still mid-conversation. Her fast-fire style means procrastination won’t stand a chance. In her world
But her bias for action? It could also mean there’s a risk of commitment before it's clear which path is best to take at this stage of the business.
One was rapidly beating her mental wings (70-200 beats per second is hummingbird speed btw!) One was perched and considering. And together? They collaborated in a beautiful business balance.
Which style do you relate to?
That fast, spark-chasing energy has been my lifelong default. It brings momentum… but it's also responsible for leaving a trail of half-finished projects in its wake.
These days, with more clarity around my executive functions, I’ve learned to better flex between the owl and the hummingbird.
But only when I’m well-fed and watered! Otherwise, it's hard to resist the allure of the most exciting and easiest-to-execute idea.
When I’m travelling well, I can press pause and lay it all out:
What actually matters most?
What’s my true capacity at the moment?
What other support or resources might set me up for success?
This deliberate pause is a skill, and not one I've perfected yet. Those of us with Sparky Brains often need to practice pausing on purpose until it becomes something we can more easily reach for in our toolbox. And so I practice. And step by step, bit by bit, stumble by stumble, I become more skilled at using it.
It’s not about elevating one style over the other.
I no longer believe that either style is better than the other, or that there is something deficient and foolhardy about my natural approach.
No more berating myself. I like carrots far more than sticks. Negativity is kryptonite to sparky brains!
Slower processing styles aren’t “better” or more “professional”. And speedy styles aren’t flaky or thoughtless.
They’re just different rhythms.
Some of us hover. Some of us perch. Both vantage points allow us to see the things that matter when we have clear vision.
And when you know your rhythm, or the rhythms of those you work with, you can design your support systems accordingly.
If you're more of a Hummingbird
Try anchoring with a Deliberate Pause when you've found something new and exciting to focus on, and it takes all your energy not to go zooming down the hyperfocus track when it really makes a lot more sense to be focusing on X,Y and Z.
I also turn to my trust “Now, Next Later” lens to help sift through the options and get my priorities sorted a little more by logic rather than my default emotions and natural pull toward novelty…
And if you're more of an Owl
Try my "Settle and Sift" process. Grab a pen and paper (or a voice note if you're a verbal processor) and walk through these questions:
What’s swirling around in your head right now? Name the ideas, options, “what ifs” and possibilities or vying for attention and demanding a decision.
Notice which ones feel potential-packed (not just interesting)? Are there options that offer more energy or emotion?
Check what questions need answering before you take action. This meets your need to gather before leaping and reduces the pressure to “just hurry up and decide”.
What’s your signal that it’s time to act? Is it a feeling in your body? A piece of feedback? A specific deadline?
I like simple tools. Complicated doesn't often mean better.
Over to you...
What’s your natural style? Do you give yourself permission to pause? Or does your quicksilver brain keep racing down the new shiny paths before you’ve fully mapped the ones you’re already on?
Whatever your style - a hummingbird hover or owlish perch, you’re allowed to work in a way that honours you.
And if you’d like support to find your own rhythm and shape what’s next in your business, I’m here for that. This is exactly the kind of nuance that's at the heart of my mentoring and coaching work with smart (and sometimes sparky) businesswomen.
Understanding your processing style and learning to flex between hummingbird and owl modes is exactly the kind of self-leadership work we do in Ignite. Founding member pricing is $695+GST monthly.
Let's chat about whether it's right for you!
