I’m in Maine. Watching the waves break against the sand. Pale pink cotton candy clouds drift across the sky.
I live here now.
Okay, really I’m on vacation. But, I mean, come on!? What is it about the ocean that just brings you into alignment with yourself and quiets the voices in your head?
Well… it’s science.
The ideal place to relax is by water. Or so says Adam Grant, backed by research, of course. And who am I to disagree with Grant or marine biologist Wallace Nichols, who wrote in Blue Mind, that water tends to induce “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment.”
And it’s not just the ocean. Any body of water (the bigger the better) works – a pond, pool, or lake – are great!
Hit reply and share your favorite “blue space” memory with me. I’ll read your responses when I’m back from vacation. 😉
– Hallie
On the Blog
How to Actually Take Time Off Work (Without the Guilt)
PTO is designed to allow you to take time off to recharge and relax, which only makes you a better employee, leader, and human. So, the next time you start to feel guilt creep in, flip the script! By taking time off you are actually going to be even better at your job and you’ll be leading the way for others. Check out the blog for 6 ways to own your vacation time.
Weekly Top 5
- Did you know 23% of new hires turn over before 1 year of employment? Right fit is crucial for everyone! Listen to this episode of WorkParty to get a behind-the-scenes look at what leaders are really thinking about when hiring and firing, reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates, balancing cultural fit vs. performance, and more.
- Are you a workaholic or do you just put in long hours because you really enjoy your work? “Workaholism” gets thrown around, but, according to this Knowable Magazine article, “psychologists now view an out-of-control compulsion to work as an addiction with its own set of risk factors and consequences.” Great article that really puts work and workaholism into perspective.
- If you need help managing your screen time, download Opal. I’ve been using it for about a week and I already feel more focused. It definitely helps with my tendency towards workaholism (see article above). Opal also tracks your focus time, allows you to set up different app blockers (no Instagram after 9pm!), and has various Difficulty settings to keep you accountable.
- You can definitely just stick to the facts, but I love a fun and creative out of office message. It’s a great way to build your personal brand, expand upon your company’s vision, and leave the necessary details to make sure you are setting recipients up for success while you’re gone. Check out these funny out of office messages from Hubspot for some inspiration. Disclaimer: Check your company’s OOO message policy before your head OOO!
- Co-founder & CEO of Chomps, Peter Maldonado, went from filing bankruptcy to being on pace to do $500M in revenue in 2024. But the 15 years in between these two events matters. Noah, author of Million Dollar Weekend, shares his top 9 takeaways from a recent sit-down with Peter. My favorite is probably #7 – innovation through simplification! Also, Chomps are so good!
