Well, we all headed towards the summer break with gusto and enthusiasm and all our contacts and colleagues disappeared to many parts of the globe in search of rest , relaxation and a recharge.
How was your break? did you get one?
I had a wonderful adventure in a camper-van in the UK - yes, it was a mad idea and yes....we took a risk with the weather. We stocked up in our limited space on a variety of clothing to cover every eventuality!
Let me explain, unfortunately I can't sit still and the idea of sitting on a beach for 2 weeks drives me nuts; now don't get me wrong, you cannot beat a beautiful sunset or sunrise with a warm breeze and clear blue skies, a good book and a chilled glass of something - i just can't do it for any major length of time....so that means i need to see new things and let my imagination run riot or I don't feel like I have had a break. I need to think of things outside the norm and see how other people do stuff...even if it's just ordinary daily life in a different place.
So, what am i waffling about here and how does it help you in your work-life?
Well, it's simple, in the last decade, i have covered 67 places in 28 countries and have been wrapped in fleece and mitts and rather more skimpy attire (only for the brave and closely related!) and been stunned by the sites, cultures and beauty (as well as some pretty horrific things) and soaked it all in like a very new sponge...but this time I wanted not to fly and also to get back to basics and appreciate what is right on the doorstep - right here in front of my nose. This meant 14 counties (NOT COUNTRIES) and 1600 miles but wow it really had it's inspiring moments. Let me list just a few for you
a. really spending quality time with loved ones in a closed space allows you to reconnect and appreciate them and what interests them anew
b. the history that is here in the UK - From the big names like Darwin and Shakespeare to lesser known people like charles Padgett (owner of snow hill manor and collector of 22,000 items from all over the world purely because he wanted to save and gain pleasure from beautifully designed and hand crafted items)and consuela duchess of marlborough (a very rich and influential american lady) - these are people who changed history by living their beliefs and making things happen - I had never appreciated the connection between Churchill ( A boy who at school would amount to nothing) and his illustrious 17 century relative another wayward and very impressive war hero who bucked all the trends and proved very successful
c. the beauty that surrounds us each day in nature and the peace and calm that it can inspire when you actually stop and just stay still to look at it
d. the industrious power of the human beings that went before us and the amazing things that were designed, built and are still here today with no cad system or CGI - they thought it and they built it and it remains here today for all to see
e. the patience of a true craftsman to produce a thing of beauty whether it's an engineering feat or a hand made tile or a sculpture or a garden that was planted when the designer knew he would never see it's actual full blown glory but only in his head, driven by belief that it would be perfect
f. the best cappuccino in stafford shire (fresh ground illy) with the creamiest froth with hand made chocolates and fresh caught oysters with lemon juice
g. sailing out early in the morning on a crystal mirror sea to watch seals and their new cubs lolling in the early morning warmth
h. locally smoked fish with freshly made warm bread eaten by the stony shore watching the men of cosby beach appear from the sea
j. the international slavery exhibition demonstrating the power of human resilience and bravery in the most adverse conditions
k. how 4 boys from liverpool changed the face of music and effected a whole generation based on their imagination and friendship
The above is just a snippet of what we packed our days with and what did i take from this and what was given back to me
a. to be successful in anything be passionate about it
b. appreciate what is right in front of your nose, sometimes you don't need to travel the world to find inspiration or belief or even tap into your own creative abilities
c. stop and take the time to think and dream and soak in what is around you
d. use what you have to create what you need
e. not everything that is valuable, worthwhile or life changing is attached to a monetary symbol
f. all the courses in the world will not change who you are if you aren't prepared to make the changes you need to
g. to get what you never had you need to do what you never did
h. refresh, review, take stock - let your mind wander and learn to love it and use it
i. to use all of your skills, you need to use your emotions too and these need to be revived, revved up and refreshed on a regular basis
j. remember how powerful optimism can be and that there really is good all around us if we look hard enough
k. what amazing opportunities we have now and what legacies will we leave behind and how will we be remembered?
These are just some thoughts that i have scribbled down and I hope that you all have had some very similar experiences over the summer and will use them in the coming months to make even more successful decisions and powerful projects. If you have any thoughts on this then please share them with me.
Welcome to my autumn
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