How I turned a cancelled vacation into a Productivity Retreat that accelerated my progress on 3 stalled projects. Just as we were embarking on our vacation to Hilton Head, my wife had to cancel our planned week away together. Too late for a refund, and desperately in need of sunshine and some Low Country living, I decided to work remotely by myself from the beautiful oceanside resort we had booked. Here's how a simple change in scenery revolutionized my workweek, boosting my output and nourishing my well-being in the process. 🏝 Sleep and Eat Well: The sounds of the surf lulled me to sleep each night and awakened each morning refreshed. Being attentive to a healthy diet and daily walks on the beach, it provided the ideal foundation for a productive day. 🏝 Finding the Zone: Removing myself from the familiarity of my office opened up the space for deeper, more focused work. I identified three pivotal projects and, with a clear next step in mind, I mapped out my days, aiming to achieve significant milestones by the end of my retreat. I created a new daily rhythm for the week, including watching the sunset every evening while reflecting on my progress for the day, and planning for the next. 🏝 Elevating My Leadership Role: Broken business processes often linger on our minds, distracting us from strategic goals. My oceanside office provided the tranquility to diagnose these issues and craft comprehensive solutions—bringing back to the shore a refreshed strategy to optimize our operations and boost my team’s efficiency. 🏝 Generating Thought-Leadership Content: Without the usual day-to-day distractions, I could dive into absorbing and generating original thought-leadership content. The serene backdrop served as a muse, inspiring insightful reflections and strategic narratives about the world leaders live in today. This experience illustrated the importance of occasionally stepping away to gain a more profound perspective on our work's scope and potential. Special thanks to Massimo Santangelo and the team at the Marriott's Grande Ocean for providing a beautiful backdrop for my week. Could a change of scenery be the catalyst you need to break new ground and to foster a healthier, more productive work environment? How does your team manage to escape the ordinary for extraordinary results?
100%, Chris Palmer: "Could a change of scenery be the catalyst you need to break new ground and to foster a healthier, more productive work environment?" At the very least, a change of scene alters perspective, allowing a different view of possible paths forward in executing strategy, developing people, and accelerating progress for yourself and your team. #strategy #leadership #perspective
Thanks for sharing! Many times, we think we are too busy to set aside this time, but it can be the best thing to do to make us more productive. Getting some time to "breathe and think" is critical. We can achieve so much more with a purpose and focus.
Love these insights from you, Chris. So well stated. This scenario happened to me a couple of years ago. Your experience re-purposing a non-cancelable vacation rings true! It was just the thing that helped get a project across the finish line.
Founder | Hosts lakefront retreats for entrepreneurs | Collaborates with speakers for retreats | Retreat Planner | Mental Health Advocate | Book Club Host
6moThis 100% the transformative power of retreats! Working ON your business versus working IN your business. Reconnecting to your vision🙂