Since I got back from this fantastic trip from Singapore — Japan this Summer vacation, I keep going back to my photo gallery with amazing pictures and posting them on Instagram. By doing so, I kind of keep reliving and reminiscing the holiday time. How amazingly organized, warmest people, social structure, discipline, and most importantly, neat. Especially in Japan on one side there is a scenic natural treasure, and on another hand, there are humanmade marvels. Living between both has been a kind of balance you rarely get in Indian Chaos.
But, this article isn’t about India or Japan but about getting my concentration back to work and all that I do for a living. An honest attempt to conclude what it means to go away disconnect and connect again.
The biggest challenge after getting back from 20 days long vacation has been getting my concentration back. Since I started my company or ever since I started working, I haven’t taken such a long break. Even during my maternity breaks, I have been glued to the phone and attending every possible official matter, instead practically running my firm in the remote. 5years of ZGC and a stable team at hand with grown-up kids first time I decided to indulge a bit longer than usual 10–12 days holiday. It has been a week since I am back and getting in the grove that allows me to do all that I thought during vacation time isn’t happening smoothly.
So It got me thinking why? What happened this time.
1. I disconnected completely.
Usually, when I leave my work, my one eye and half mind are always at work. Directing the team over calls, follow-ups, reminders, and never let the control go completely.
This time I did just the opposite. Allowing my next in line to take responsibility, knowing they are capable of managing the daily duties and need be even crisis. It was more to test that I have trained them well.
2. I enjoyed the moment.
I enjoyed every bit of the place, people, and culture where I was. Sinking all surroundings and unknown ways of living and marveling how advanced civilization is.
I choose to be where I was, present at that moment — living and coming alive with the world unknown to me.
3. By letting it all go.
When you create something from scratch, as small as a paper boat or a company as an entrepreneur, it is always difficult to let it go. Let others do the things I have been doing.
The very first thought is, I would have done better. But unless I let someone else take control, I will never know if they need to improve or I. And to make that happen first, I needed to let it all go.
Having done this successfully now when I am back, it is another challenge ahead of me how to get back. All that I planned, all that was pending before holiday or all that I need to rush to just stood idle for days since I got back.
So, I started with following simple things which helped me get back.
1. I picked on new habits.
Having walked average 12,000 steps during holiday got me in the habit of walking which I didn’t get go and now since I got back, I go for a walk. If mornings don’t allow, I do that in the evening but missing a walking is not an option.
My writing was irregular, an article or blog that I start would complete after a month with an open window on my laptop I will flip between tasks before I finish one writing assignment that I use to take in my hand. Since I got back, I have focused on realigning my focus on priority. ( completed this one in a day 🙂 )
It is helping me find some structure in my otherwise chaotic day.
2. Don’t Rush.
There was a long follow up and new business lead list that I left behind before the holiday. First day back I rushed to it, but somehow I didn’t have that drive which I use to have. So, I drop it all together till I figured out how to get back to my working self.
And I achieved the momentum back by not rushing to it, instead of taking it slow, one day at a time.
What adjusted at work without me, I did not try to fit my self in again — rather chose to find my own space that helps my firm and me to expand further in a new direction. Didn’t rush on my pending reading list, rather just stared at those books and decided to read a lot of short articles and bookmarked blogs. Pending writing with daily dedicated hours to it.
So, it was about exactly not doing what I use to do but start with what I avoided or neglected the most and while doing so pick the regular once.
3. Keep the inspiration alive.
There was a kind of withdrawal symptoms after being at such dreamlike places, doing nothing but just walking around cities, talking to strangers, teaching kids new things to spending rare uninterrupted quality time with them, discussing random things with family.
So, the initial blank inactive state was due to suddenly coming back to regular life. Reality is always hard and hitting on ourselves. Inner conscious needs time to adjust.
But, what good it serves to see the world if it doesn’t teach you a thing or two. All the amazing learning needs to be absorbed and inspire, help dream bigger and better tomorrow for our home. And to make all that happen I need to work harder and smarter.
Here, I did the trick and told myself after this thought the only way to get back to another such amazing holiday is via earning my next vacation. Thus, comes work, and all that comes with it 🙂
Happy Holiday and Happy Working Folks!