Get Ahead by Getting Away
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
Do you ever feel caught up on all your important tasks? Most people I meet never feel fully caught up with all they must do. The treadmill seems to move increasingly faster, no matter how quickly they run. What do I recommend? Get away! While it’s important to do the work your job requires, creating your future business opportunities is even more vital! Getting some time away from your daily work is one of the best ways to begin to create the future.
In the middle of the daily grind, how creative do you feel? Are you energized? Do you feel like you can run through walls and achieve the impossible? I’d venture to guess, probably not. You need to step away to re-energize and allow yourself to be creative. Results of a global survey of leaders regarding the skills required to lead in today’s world found the most critical skill to possess was creativity. To be innovative, we must leave the daily grind behind – even if only for a few hours.
The more we learn about the brain, the more we know that we need to slow down to go fast, relax to be creative, work differently while we’re at work, and get away to see our future.
When you read this, I’ll be on a trip to Canada with friends and family. During the trip, we’ll visit Montreal, as well as attend the Tulip Festival in Ottawa, which is truly remarkable if you’ve never had the chance to see it. Canada is a great place to visit so I know I’ll enjoy myself on this trip. My body and soul will get a vacation from my hectic schedule, and most importantly, my mind will also get a break. This mental break will be of great benefit to my teammates at MACNY and to our members as it will open space for new ideas and allow me to recommit to my goal of creating a better MACNY. How do I know these things? They happen every time I make the effort to get away.
While I’m away, I’m intentional about my vacation type. My days operate at a reduced pace compared to my workdays. I slow down, I sleep more, I sit and have coffee and enjoy time with others. It’s truly a vacation. When I get away like this, I return rejuvenated with fresh ideas and a renewed spirit.
Don’t get me wrong, I also go on trips. During those times away, I run at a pace that is as fast – or faster – than when I’m at work. While enjoyable, these vacations don’t provide much rest or spark creativity. These days, I try to avoid taking trips because I find they don’t add value to my work or personal life.
Science tells us we can be more creative and productive when we slow down. My own experience and those of others I work with validates this. What’s your experience? Can you get away and slow down? Will you allow yourself time away to think about the future, so you can begin to create it? These are essential questions in a world of constant demands and change. Getting away so I can get ahead is one way I’ve found to become a more effective leader. Could it work for you?