Powering Down to Recharge

Given that we live a world of “always on” it can be difficult to break away from your smartphone, work email, text messages, video-on-demand or your favourite social media site.  Even when we are not on-line, it can be easy to be distracted by what we are missing while we are "away".  We should take a lesson from our electronic devices and occasionally power down to recharge our own batteries.

Technology has provided us with tremendous tools to become more productive, connect better with our colleagues (and friends), and allow for collaboration around the world.  The downside of the continued advances in technology is the potential for the loss of time for free thought, whether focused or abstract.

Over the past couple of years, as a result of increasing work responsibilities, business travel, and the increasingly busy schedule of my two kids, I struggle to find time to just sit and think.  Combine that with my Blackberry, Kindle, iPod, iPad, laptop, PVR, and all the other gadgets that I carry with me, often times when I have a moment I am drawn to distraction.

I remember earlier in my career I would go for a walk to clear my head and just think.  The thoughts and ideas that would “come to me” while I let my mind and feet wander often helped me to solve issues that I faced, learn from recent experiences or come up with new ideas for work or at home.

With the recent addition of a puppy to our family (Bella!), I am doing my best to try to once again exercise my mental and creative muscles by walking.  Her unfettered excitement when she hears “Bella, want to go for a walk” is just the right kind of motivation that I need to start walking and free my mind (and get some exercise at the same time)!

Do you regularly schedule time to just think?  How do you disconnect from the technology enabled “noise” that surrounds us 24/7? 

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie