3 Benefits of Taking Time Off the Grid
Posted by Nancy Mueller on Monday, July 22nd, 2013
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Tagged in Leadership, off the grid, perspective, problem-solving, productivity, Travel, unplug, unwind, vacation
Everybody needs a little time away – and busy, hard-working professionals are no exception. But leaders still find it challenging to slip away for a getaway, even for summer vacation. And if you do take time off the grid, with cell phones and laptops readily available, it’s easier than ever to stay connected with the office.
But do you want to? Do you need to?
What if you were to completely disappear for a week or two, maybe longer. Could your company function without you? Chances are, while your absence might be an inconvenience, if you’ve hired the right people to implement daily tasks and handle the unexpected, your company will carry on without you.
More importantly, think about the gifts your vacation can bring to you and your group:
1) Productivity
Sleep deprivation, stress and strife take their toll over time, significantly impacting productivity. You don’t need research studies to tell you what personal experience shows: you’re more able to think on your feet, cope with conflict and do the right thing when you are well-rested and functioning on all cylinders.
2) Perspective
Taking time off the grid allows you to zoom in or zoom out on workplace events that occupy your mind space. Put your challenges into a bigger context. Travel abroad if you can. Interact with locals who see the world differently than you do. Feel what it’s like to stumble your way through a second language and bring that new perspective back to the workplace.
3) Problem-solving
As Einstein observed: “You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew.” Vacations give you the means to do just that. With your left-brain at rest, your intuition feels free to come out to play. As an added bonus, your time away gives others the opportunity to shine in your absence.
How do you unplug and unwind for greater productivity, perspective and problem-solving?
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