I arrived home from Boston last Tuesday night at about 11:00ET... which is much later than my typical bedtime. In fact, it’s the only game ending of the NBA Finals that I’ve been able to watch. The next morning I had a sales training webinar to deliver to a client of mine – a security integrator in the Midwest. I like walking to my office, but it takes 35 minutes instead of the four minutes it takes by car. My morning was hectic in preparation and a lack of sleep. However, I still got up a little early and decided to walk.
As I was approaching the office, I felt relaxed, refreshed and ready for our webinar. I had gotten out of task mode and into creative mode. I stopped typing and started exploring and experiencing – the Central Florida jungle that grows in June, the hundreds of birds looking for their breakfast, my neighbors walking their dogs, etc. I stopped thinking about one chore and started enjoying life. I was now ready to impact a security sales team in a manner that shifts my emotions to them – which is the only way for an audience to retain ideas and use them. If I had driven, I would’ve transferred knowledge … which may or may not make an impression.
When I was walking home, this 500 year-old quote by Martin Luther came to me – “I pray for one hour a day, except on very busy days… then I pray two hours.” I then realized that I don’t always take this advice and neither do most people – we never disengage. In fact, most of the time we knock out as much as we can throughout the day without performing important personal exercises like reading, prayer, or just walking the dog. I’m pretty good about making sure I fit in my workouts throughout the week, but that’s about it. I’m going to make a habit of changing this behavior. I’m going to walk away from my computer at least every hour; I’m going to engage in personal conversations with my customers when it’s appropriate; I’m going to enjoy a local ballgame when I travel (like I used to in my 20s); and I’m going to continue to walk to the office. I’m going to start these habits for two reasons:
- I’m more effective and get more done when I step away and enter creative mode. So… you workaholics that are filing this away into your “liberal freako” folder, right between a Jon Stewart commentary or Bernie Saunders essay … listen up. You’ll be better and more successful by taking time to disengage.
- It’s just a better way of life…and is there any other reason needed?
I’ve gotta run. It’s Father’s Day, the rest of the family is asleep, and I’m going to walk the dog for a while and let the neighbors wish me a Happy Father’s Day.
