Exercise, fresh air and reading: it’s a powerful combination.
Recently, I was at a CEO conference in Colorado. I spent time with fellow CEOs, sharing best practices for growing organizations which was insightful and inspiring. It was great to get out of the office, connect with people in person, and expand my knowledge and thinking.
As part of the conference, we spent time outdoors. We’d do some work, then head out for activities. One activity was a 5-mile hike up through the mountains; we climbed up about 1,500 vertical feet. It took a little over 2 hours, and it was a great workout.
A hike is such an underrated form of exercise. You don’t need to go to the gym, lift weights, or run a million miles. Sometimes a walk in the fresh air is all you need! The combination of learning from fellow CEOs, then getting out into the fresh air and getting exercise was awesome!
On my trip, I also was reminded of the value of reading. I just started diving into CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest, which was a great book recommendation I received. It was just World Mental Health Awareness Day, which is a great time to reflect on your mental health. One way that I stay centered is through exercise, fresh air and reading.
After my trip, I was at home, splitting wood to get ready for winter. I was out there in the cool air for over an hour stacking the wood, splitting it, working and sweating. It felt so good; I came inside exhausted but in such a healthy way. It was a great way to spend my Sunday evening; it level-set me going into the week.
Think about how you refresh and rejuvenate. For me, it’s exercise, fresh air and reading and as much of that combination as possible. It’s good for my soul and gets me in the right spot to give my best to everyone else!
