Taking time to disconnect from the busyness of everyday life is essential.
Taking time for yourself helps reduce stress and allows you to mentally recharge, which everyone needs. For leaders, the benefits can also extend into your organization. Stepping away from your day-to-day responsibilities can provide leaders with a fresh perspective, which often translates to increased productivity and a boost in creativity upon return to work.
For me, disconnecting most often means long-distance hiking. It’s one of my greatest passions! There’s nothing like being on the trail, immersing myself in the nature around me, and truly allowing myself to disconnect and recharge.
Although I have enjoyed hiking for the majority of my adult life, I developed my passion for long-distance, ultralight hiking after thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2002. Since then, I have hiked the Appalachian and Ouachita Trails, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail, the Alpe Adria Trail, and many other trails in dozens of regions throughout the world ranging from the Alps and the Azores to the Patagonia and the Via Francigena in Italy. I have had some of my best creative ideas and realizations (both personally and professionally) while on the trail.
So, here’s my next lesson:
Lesson #72: Give yourself time to disconnect and recharge.