Virginia WaltonRemember pre-pandemic when we would have offsite planning meetings.
The purpose was to step away from the day-to-day activity to focus strategically, think creatively about the possibilities for the business, your people, and your clients.
The opportunity to disconnect for a few days gave you a fresh perspective without distraction.
These are powerful business tools when done correctly. Not only will the change in environment promote creativity but it is also a chance to connect with your peers in a different way and improve your relationships.
Stepping away from the day-to-day allowed you to:
1. Think bigger, more strategically, more creatively
2. Re-evaluate the current state, find improvements,
3. Improve relationships, make new connections, be human
Do you plan time to step away from the day-to-day of life?
Odds are most of you don’t. I would further guess the primary reason is a lack of time. I am sure that is your first response to an offsite meeting too. “I don’t have time for this.”, and I bet most times you find it a valuable use of time.
If you can make the time for work, make the time for yourself!
Here is why.
1. You need to step away from the day-to-day.
Not just at work, but from the day-to-day of life. Work is not the only source of stress and busyness in your life. Being a parent, a spouse/partner, adult child, sibling, friend, activist, volunteer, and just being human is all draining at times.
You need to step away from it so you can clear your head, relax, and change your perspective.
Just like you see the value in stepping away from the office to be able to think strategically and creatively about the business, your department, new opportunities, or new corporate structures.
You need to do this for your own life.
Step away and look at where you are and what your goals are. Evaluate what is working and not working ideally in your life.
Decide what you can improve and a plan to do just that!
Sound like the opening remarks at every offsite? Probably.
2. It gives you the opportunity to take stock personally.
Spend some quiet time reflecting on where you are now and what else you want to accomplish in life.
You set goals every year for your team individually and collectively, but what about setting your personal goals. Goals related to things such as
- Financial milestones
- Wellness habits
- Running a half marathon
- Learning- new skills, hobbies, languages, getting your Master or Phd.
- Family time and experiences
You evaluate your performance goals at least twice a year.
How often are you evaluating your personal goals?
You only get one life!
Invest in it!
3. It gives you an opportunity to improve the most important relationship you have.
The one with yourself.
This gives you time to recognize your accomplishments, turn off your negative self-talk and to reflect on all the skills you have.
You should also evaluate the relationships you have. Maybe some are not serving you, now is the time to make that decision, and cut those ties once and for all.
If you do not take time periodically to get ‘off sight’ from life, you are depriving yourself of the opportunity to make the most out of the opportunity you have to be the best version of you possible.