Last week, I had a business trip to Clearwater, Florida, and brought my beautiful bride, Laura, along for the ride. Although I spent most of my time in meetings, I deeply enjoyed both the location and the camaraderie of close colleagues. Our host secured a condo overlooking the gulf and went the extra yard to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. Laura, on the other hand, had the beach and spa to herself and made good use of both.
The two of us had time for a couple of beach walks when I was not meeting. I enjoyed those sandy strolls tremendously before flying back to cold, gray Washington, DC.
Nonetheless, it’s good to be home. I had a bit of travel in January. A week in Germany, a quick trip from coast to coast for a presentation in San Diego, and then the three days in Clearwater last week. All the travel caught up with me and I contracted a cold when I got home and so I took the weekend off for some serious R&R.
Most important to me is quantity and quality time with the ones I love. Laura is #1 in that category; it gave me real joy to see her getting what she needs. And my business colleagues, each one of them (four on this trip) are in my inner circle. It’s such a joy to have friends like that, one of the special treasures of my work.
Of course, it’s not always easy to get out of town to such a wonderful location, and there are other ways to get the deep renewal that is so important for high performance. Here are four ways I achieve revitalization without travel:
- Meditation – every morning I take 30 minutes. It allows my nervous system to reset, facilitating mental clarity.
- 2. A 24-hour digital and information fast – this eliminates overstimulation, allowing the brain to shift from reactive processing to deep restoration.
- 3. Immersive creativity – painting, sculpting, or music without performance pressure, giving me a sense of personal fulfillment.
- 4. Of course, one of my favorites is reconnecting with nature. I love walking along the Potomac in every season.
What might you do this week to restore your soul?
“Your past is not your potential. In any hour you can choose to liberate the future.”
– Marilyn Ferguson
