While kayaking on Lake Nockamixon (I know crazy name right) there was a section on the lake with turtle basking stations. Seriously. These platforms were for the turtles to climb aboard, sun themselves and enjoy the view, like sun lounges for turtles, very cool.
It got me thinking. We need to be like the turtles, we need to slow down.
Many of our clients wear ‘busy’ like a badge of honor and it’s not productive. Ask anyone today ‘how are you?’ and they reply ‘soooo busy!’ – yep everyone is busy.
Today consider that to be more productive maybe you need to slow down… recharge… then you can accelerate.
We did a quick video on this you might enjoy watching here:
Rise above – just like the turtles came to the surface to check out the world, we need to do the same. Rise above the tactical, daily challenges and distractions you face and choose to be strategic. Invest at least 15 minutes every day in strategic thought. What activities will get you closer to your goals?
Get outside – remove yourself from your everyday environment to change your perspective and increase creativity. Book a conference room, take your laptop to the coffee shop, relocate so you can think more clearly and focus on the strategies that are more important than the busy work. Where could you work to be more strategic and creative?
Soak it in – just like the turtles enjoyed the brilliant sun, you are surrounded by brilliance, you can access brilliance online through TED talks, social media and the friends you have in your life. Seek their guidance on best practice on how they achieve more strategic thought and get more done. You might also enjoy the blog we wrote about this a while back. Who do you need in your life you can learn from?
Turtles have it right. Today we challenge you to slow down so you can really take in what matters, look people in the eye, give them the gift of your undivided attention. Make someone feel like they matter today.We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you could be more like the turtle, share your ideas with us here on our blog.
PS. If you want more ideas on how to increase your productivity – check out other blogs here and several eBooks you can share with your team.
Once upon a time I owned a little place on a lake in the Poconos. This get-a-way cottage had a dock where I took up that hobby of watching turtles six, twelve and fifteen feet away. It was right there – under my sun hat, Bloody Mary in my hand – that I pondered if those turtles were actually watching me, too, or were they sleeping?
That’s when I got two good ideas, (to your point, Neen, about how creativity comes into our thoughts when we chill out a little).
My ideas, in this order, were: one, take a nap when the opportunity presents itself to refresh your brain. Two, don’t ever swim in that lake again; these were snapping turtles!
Kindly,
MJ
MJ – you are so right! Creativity and innovative thinking comes when we slow down, change our environment and discover new solutions! Your little spot sounds fabulous!