Wilderness Makes You Better
Sabbatical Week: Joshua Tree
Sunrise at Joshua Tree
I had a very productive "Buffer Week" (see this article on what that is) and gladly took some time away from the computer for a brief respite at Joshua Tree the next week. If you haven't been, I recommend you add this national park to your list.
I brought two journals - one with blank pages and the other called Steal Like An Artist Journal. I found that I had less time than I expected to contemplate and could have easily stayed a few more days if it wasn't for the heat. It was unseasonably cool but a sunny 80's was too much for my husky and me to relax in.
Fortunately there is no cell service once you step into the park - I still had devices for an audio book (currently listening to Start With Why) and my iPhone7 + Iris lenses for photos, but found it relaxing to not be obsessively looking at my phone - a habit I became even more aware of once returning to civilization.
On the way back home, I stopped by a few Desert X installations. The famed Mirage House was closed for the day unfortunately but checked out the Cinematic Billboards and The Circle of Land and Sky.
In summary, I recognized and envisioned some personal changes that I intend to manifest and am grateful for the space to contemplate such. Wilderness makes you better.
Work/Life Balance
Inspired by an article written by @shawnblanc I've started an experiment. I'm fortunate as I'm the CEO of a boutique company, so have more freedom than most to take such risks (but also risk the repercussions) such as an innovative way of working.
I've been sharing this article with everyone I can; one of my friends who works for Buzzfeed was so inspired that she shared the article and idea with the company. Everyone that reads seems to have a lightbulb go on - it just makes sense.
I'm in a culture where working 80 hours a week is the norm, and one can feel guilty for not doing such. I'm personally burnt out. Ulcer. Never ending cold. This wasn't my entrepreneurial dream.
Now I do believe in hard work, and there's something to be said for the 10,000 Rule explained by K. Anders Ericsson, but I also believe one can work smarter.
I'm currently in the Buffer Week. One of my tasks is to get my personal website live. (How you're reading this, thanks btw!) This website will be a blog site of my own works accompanying the company site, which will soon encompass an entity separate and much larger than myself. I will post work related articles here along with lifestyle, life hacks, travel, and tech content.
Sabbatical week: I have some conservative plans for next week, but am looking forward to having some time away from the computer to reset and recharge.
This schedule may not work for you, but I encourage you to search for an improved work/life balance. Let me know how you go!