Seven Leadership Pearls

Last night I went to a dinner party and a friend commented, "you look 10 years younger!" Gee, why did I wait so long to take a vacation. Frankly, it was a bit disturbing to think about what I must have looked like before I left!For those of you who read my last post about the importance of unplugging to recharge, you'll be happy to know that I unplugged. Mostly.  As a business owner, the prospect of doing this was daunting. But I did. Here's what happened and here's what I learned. Take note, for those of you haven't yet risked it.We prepared. My social media team was in place and ready to post and promote my pre-written blogs, to send out my pre-written newsletter and to continue to send out my pre-written tweets. We changed my Facebook page photo to show that I was unplugged. Clients and colleagues were notified, and I initiated a gone fishin' email notification auto-responder for folks that sent me emails. I was ready!How did it go?

• WiFi access was often non-existent and spotty at best, so that really helped
• With each passing day, the pull of the internet slowly subsided from a continual drum beat to a soft murmur vying for my attention
• I did use my iPhone to check emails for anything urgent and only sent out one email response for something that was time sensitive
• My traveling companion, one of the least plugged-in people I know, requested at the last minute that I bring my computer along. She was in charge of booking our lodging and wanted to book the B&B's while en route. Ugh, another temptation.
• My traveling companion wanted to get access to email frequently throughout our trip and look for internet hotspots. It took extra discipline not to succumb.
• I found myself concerned about how my Twitter connections would respond to my lack of interaction.
• I loved being unplugged and wish I could have, with confidence, let the email go too.

What were the results?

• My Twitter followers were still there and still retweeting and sending me direct messages, despite my absence and lack of response
• I was able to be fully present in my experience and delight in my travels
• I had much needed time for reflection and was able to make space for inner focus
• I really did return recharged
• I have still not caught up with all of my email and work that piled up while I was gone, but am chipping away daily.

With time to reflect on and integrate all that had transpired over the last several months--I walked away with some pearls -- areas for my growth and development as a leader and that are good reminders for all of us.My seven leadership pearls of wisdom 

• Find that still point inside even though there are waves crashing around you
• Maintain your own rhythm when others travel to the beat of a different drum
• Remember that everything and everyone is a mirror to reflect aspects of yourself to you
• Prepare, then trust your team and let go
• Make sure to take your time off--and enough time to renew and replenish!
• Be present to your experiences and the world around you
• Let joy be your wellspring of energy and connection

My self-work continues ... practice:Maintain contact with that still point inside no matter what is happening around meKeep playing my own rhythm while others play theirs'

Have you unplugged? How did it go and what did you learn? Please join the conversation -- so many of us struggle with this and we can all benefit from each other's experiences.