The power of unplugging
As you’re reading this, I’m miles away from the office. Nearly 2000 miles away, to be exact. (Thanks to the magic of the Internet.) It’s time for a family vacation, and my husband and I have gathered our three kids and headed off for an adventure.
Arizona
In the week before I left—which was as busy as my return is sure to be—I worked my way steadily through a to-do list in preparation for one thing: a week in Sedona. Colleagues asked me, “Will you be checking your email? Will you be available?”
After a pause, I answered, “No, I’m totally unplugging.” And that was that.
Our world has changed since I started an advertising agency in 1987. Over the years, it became increasingly easier to stay connected. Enter today, when we’re all one email, text message, or tweet away. It’s always been tempting to take the work home with you. It’s even more tempting now that work can fit in the palm of your hand.
But there’s something necessary about disconnecting. Whatever your job—“creative” or not—your brain needs an occasional refresh to keep producing your best ideas. Research documents that our brains often solve problems or generate new ideas when we’re not thinking about them. Creating mental distance by unplugging allows you to truly experience the things that enrich your creativity anyway—sunshine, laughter with your family, the luxury of uninterrupted sleep. All the while, the work you left at work is simmering in your subconscious.
You might not be at the Grand Canyon for a week, but you can leave your phone at your desk during lunch. You can go home from work, make a nice dinner, and eat it on your porch instead of at your laptop. You can declare the occasional email-free morning.
And when you return, you can tackle your work with fresh eyes. In this business, sometimes a pair of fresh eyes is exactly what you need.
