Leadership: This Changes Everything

Are you a leader in need of a lift in your spirit, fresh ideas or a change of pace? Get up and walk outside!  This is so powerful, it's no joke. Getting outdoors changes everything for me. I'm a homebody, which few would guess because I'm on the road so often. My favorite thing is curling up with a book in total silence or perhaps with a bit of light classical or monk music in the background. (Yes, I am serious. I often work or relax to monk music...stuff like this.)  But, as happy as the indoors can make me, there is absolutely nothing that brings a boost like going outside.

Fresh air impacts our lives in such a great way. Research shows that spending time in fresh air increases energy in 90% of people. Whenever I'm lacking energy, this is one of my main go-to's. I'm at a place right now where I'm reminding myself that it mustn't be a go-to just in times of severe stress, but it needs to be an every day thing, as regular as brushing my teeth. I am endeavoring to lead myself better in this way.

Scene from my walk this morning
One of my favorite thing is the scent of outdoors.  It's a proven fact that outdoor smells help to remove stress in our lives and promote relaxation. Some of the ones that are my favorites are the smell of rain, freshly cut grass, and pine. One of the wax melts I use all the time in my house is pine, but there is absolutely nothing like the real thing. Walking outside boosts our immune system and helps fight off depression. Oxygen energizes our bodies and minds. What's not to love about it?

Going outside is something every leader can do, no matter their situation. It doesn't cost anything to step outside. You can take five minutes or five hours.  Maybe the best thing you can do today is go outdoors for a little while. I have to preach tonight, but I began my morning outside on a 3 mile walk. So much of what happens for me and for others will be impacted by my time outdoors today.

More than ever, people seem to be creatures of indoors. How do you break out of that? What do you most like to do outdoors and how does it affect you?