Digital Detox

As a coach and a consultant, I preach the importance of “unplugging” and “recharging” as a way to increase creativity, energy, productivity and overall well-being. On a recent family vacation, I set into practice what I preach.\n

I left my laptop at home and headed to Sunriver, Oregon for a taste of the outdoors. Instead of being tethered to my desk, on the phone or in meetings, I went hiking, mountain-biking and river-rafting. I did not read one email.

\nWhat did I do instead?\n

8 days of quality time spent with my son

3 trips down the Paulina Plunge natural waterslide

4 Class 3 rapids crossed

1 family sing-a-long with a local musician

1 book of fiction read (all work related articles or books were left at home too)

215 photos taken

27 family meals eaten

Daily deer sightings

3 family game nights (I was not the victor in any)

1 – 500 piece puzzle completed

2 afternoon naps

\nWhat did I miss while I was gone? Nothing critical! Clients knew I was leaving and respecting my choice to unplug. It took me a half a day upon my return to sort through my inbox. I was able to delete 90% of the emails. The remaining 10% I handled in the next couple of days. I highly recommend a digital detox. I promise the world will not come to an end if you do.\n\nFull disclosure: I took my cell phone but only to take pictures like this one.\n\n\n\n I wasn’t even tempted to email, tweet or surf the web.