Are You Chained to The Desk?

As I write this, I'm 690 miles from my office in Los Angeles. Actually, I'm in Park City, Utah enjoying a glass of Pinot and writing to you. I'm here on a family vacation getting some much needed rest and a modified digital detox. One of the benefits I've experienced since leaving the office is how creative, clear and laser-quick my mind has become. In retrospect, I can honestly say I've never come up with an award winning idea for my business in my office. My best (and most profitable!) ideas typically show up when I've given myself permission to step away from daily life. To quote Anthony Robins, "If you want to change your situation, change your environment." By the way, you don't need to travel 690 miles from your home. You can gain a lot of clarity by taking a solo walk in nature or spending the night in a local hotel in your town. It's not about the distance. Clarity shows up when you make that slight shift in your surroundings. Subconsciously, I know what you're thinking. "If I leave my office, I may lose an important phone call or email" or "It's reckless and irresponsible to leave the office" or better yet, "If I leave the office and people see me out having fun, will they still take me seriously as a business owner?" How would I know this? Because I've had all these thoughts at least once. : -) I have a hunch that you started your business to have the freedom to enjoy business success and a quality personal life. Here are five smart solutions you can use when you unlock the invisible chains to your desk and commit to a new sense of clarity and creativity: 1. Carry a journal or notebook with unlined paper and a colorful pen. You'll want to be ready when new ideas show up. 2. Read a new book by a favorite author (fiction or non-fiction) or re-read a book that inspired you years ago. I just re-read Seth Godin's "Purple Cow" after nearly ten years and it was as interesting and moving now as it was the first time. 3. Meditate or practice silence - this is not a time for friends, phone, email or text. 4. Listen to your favorite tunes. I love both Pandora and Spotify. 5. Celebrate solitude. The greatest gift you can give yourself is time alone. If you desire new ideas for your business, release yourself from the invisible chains that may be holding you hostage to your desk and create an environment that supports your next big, profitable idea. Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you. *****