I’m writing this at the end of February, sitting on a cruise ship balcony heading back to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. We had booked a four-night cruise with friends for the mid-winter recess, which runs during President’s Week in New York. The weather in New York during this time of year is pretty blah; darkness still comes early, and it is one of the coldest parts of our winter. So, last summer, we had planned for a cruise to Key West, Fla., and the Bahamas for some fun, rest and reflection. It happens to be the last night of the cruise, and between packing and getting ready for dinner, I’m writing this short blog. I’ve had several opportunities to reflect on my work as a leader and learner, and I wanted to share a few takeaways that I’ve been thinking about during my time away.
Unplugging can be on a continuum
Part of the hope for this cruise was an opportunity to unplug. I wouldn’t be glued to my computer or phone, and I had prepped for much of the work happening the week I returned home. I found unplugging to be on a continuum, though, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing and more of a practical reality. Several tasks at home needed my input to move forward, and I felt better about addressing them so others could take over rather than adding them to my “To Do” list when I returned. To help me manage the steady stream of contact, I took the time (often during down periods) to check my email and work on other items (like this blog). This wasn’t a replacement for anything else but rather simply an option to build into my schedule; my goal was to do whatever I could this week to feel as de-stressed as possible. Adding in these “check-in” times worked wonders for me.
I also realized that for everyone in our party (there were two whole families), being “plugged in” was very different than when we were “fully on.” I took a quick look at emails, made a few quick phone calls, and checked texts, but I still had time to do everything I wanted to do. Plugging in or unplugging doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game; it can be on a continuum. Like all things we experience as leaders, there is rarely a simple “on” or “off” or “yes” or “no.” Instead, life fits along a scale, and the better we recognize it, the easier it becomes to deal with the obstacles that life throws our way.
Never underestimate the power of doing nothing
Today, I slept for an hour and a half on the beach. My kids were in the pool, and my wife was sleeping beside me. We were on beach chairs listening to the waves and the music. I got too much sun, but I loved every minute of it. There is a lot of power in finding time to do nothing. This isn’t necessarily about boredom (though research supports the power of boredom as well). Instead, this is about purposefully not doing anything and letting the mind and body rest fully. We rarely get to do that often, and even at nighttime, our sleep can be filled with stressful thoughts. I had nothing on my mind during that morning snooze, nor was there anything I had to take care of. Everything was just fine. Leadership can be like that from time to time as well. There is nothing wrong with letting things just be rather than always trying to plan for or strategize the next move.
It’s a big world
As I type this, I’m surrounded by ocean as far as the eye can see. There is nothing else around me. The world is so big. This isn’t meant to be scary or worrisome. It is meant to be real. We live in a big world, and what might seem important to us doesn’t necessarily hold the same importance to others. The immensity of our world can be taken as a blessing or a curse. We can embrace how big the world is or get frightened and worried by it. I choose the former, knowing that I can never hope to know or experience everything, but everything I experience can help me grow and know more (a bit more on that momentarily). It isn’t that I am a miniscule part of the world; my place in the world is only a small part of what happens and how the world works. There is always room to grow and build on my knowledge and skills. I find this to be a wonderful takeaway for every leader.
Every experience is a learning opportunity
As I hinted at above, everything we engage in is an opportunity to learn. Whether it was driving a golf cart around Key West or finding the best beach location on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas, there are always ways to stretch our thinking patterns and become better at what we do. In our work lives, this is much the same. Every interaction, each decision, and every success (and failure) allows us to shape how we approach our work moving forward. A cruise is a vacation and an opportunity to become a more effective leader and learner.
A four-day cruise doesn’t necessarily change the course of one’s life. It can, however, influence one’s way of living. This time away allowed me to reflect on my work, my life, and my reason for being. As the sun sets in the evening (and on the cruise), I’m left smiling, thinking about how to use this experience to be a better learner, leader, and person.
How have you used vacation and travel opportunities to build your leadership skills?
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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