Getting a Reset
We just got home a few hours ago from a fairly grueling trip back from LA. It certainly wasn’t the most grueling travel day I’ve ever had, but when you endure a 2-hour flight delay with two six-year-old boys, “misery” is an appropriate word to classify it. Nevertheless, it was a great trip. My talks went well, it was amazing to catch up with old friends, and we created some wonderful family memories.
All that being said, I’m toast. This trip took a lot out of me, and I’m stepping back into a lot of intensity. Lots of client e-mails to send, a large client project to engage in, people to catch up with, and a 4-day work trip in Texas next week to do some on-site client work.
This brings to the forefront the idea of getting a reset. If I’m being honest, I’m not great from a day-to-day perspective for getting breaks. Life often sweeps me away, bouncing from one thing to the next. Don’t get me wrong, these are all great things…..there’s just a lot of them. One of the best ways I know how to get some reprieve is to get what I call resets. These are periodic intentional acts that seem to provide me with a degree of rest, relaxation, clarity, and recharge. Here’s my list:
Bike rides: For me, there’s nothing that clears the mind and gets the blood flowing like a good bike ride. I can sometimes find a way to sneak in a 10-mile ride during the week, but I absolutely love getting a 20-mile ride in on a nice Saturday afternoon.
Massages: A few years ago, I decided to splurge with my personal spending money to get a membership for a monthly massage. I didn’t know how much I would enjoy it, but wow! This easily turns into one of the most anticipated days of my month.
Sensory Depravation Chamber: Picture a large metal coffin, filled with 10 inches of 98-degree water, with 1,000 pounds of salt added to it, while also being completely light-proof and sound-proof. This makes for a surreal but amazingly relaxing experience. Your body floats on top of the water, but because of the temperature, you can’t tell where the water ends and your body begins. It’s one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had……every time I do it. Some of the best ideas of my life have come from time spent in this chamber.
Retreats: About once per quarter, I’ll get a hotel for a few nights where I’ll isolate myself from the world. Sometimes I go to a different metro and sometimes I’ll stay in my metro. I’ll experience some good meals, read books, write, sleep, brainstorm, and maybe even catch a movie at a theater. This is probably the best source of reset for me right now. I anticipate these getaways for months.
Well, that’s me….what about you? How do you find resets in your life? I’d love to learn some new ideas and find ways to keep getting better on my journey. Please hit reply to your e-mail or drop a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!