I recently got the chance to visit my favourite place in the world for two weeks, Bowen Island in Vancouver, B.C. The natural temperate rainforest of Bowen Island is only a short ferry ride away from Downtown, Vancouver.
Surrounded by stunning ocean views, colossal mountains and breath-taking natural landscape, Bowen Island is a cozy cottage community full of artists and entrepreneurs where they call this aspiring get-away, home. Dubbed as “Canada’s Best Kept Secrets” by The Globe and Mail and other travel publication, it’s a place I’ve been spending on average, 6 weeks a year there, for the past 25 years. What I’ve observed since my first venture start-up, Enunciate Conferencing, is that the island has evolved as a place to reconnect with myself through relaxation and reflection specifically towards my business.
It’s at a traditional understanding that, in order to be successful in your career, you need to have a prime focus on your business goals. To put things in a perspective that only a handful of people may understand, that’s about 60 hours per week with the sacrifice of sleep, time with family and friends, and time for you.
I’m sure you’ve often heard the phrase that, as a business owner, it’s important to work on your business as opposed to in it. Like artists that like to work in environments that inspire them, I think the same is true for entrepreneurs.
Devoting your time to recharging and thinking allows you to tap into your highest potential revealing best results in the following: productivity, break-through ideas, excellent decision-making, and an overall better performance.
Oddly enough, when I first met Brian Scudamore from, 1-800-Got-Junk, he talked about the importance of having a painted picture and getting away to think. Brian also has a family cottage on Bowen Island and he’s often spoken how his most enlightened thought about his business come on his dock. He’s been in business for over 25 years and for the last 20 years he’s taken Friday’s completely off from work and technology – translated to over $250 million in revenue with a staggering 24% annual growth rate. Similarly, Wish Group has grown to over $60 million since we started in 2007 with an average five-year growth at over 300%.
It seems that the less time I spent “in” the business, the quicker it grows!
Time spent away, some people clear their mind by engaging in relaxation activities such as yoga, working out or complete meditation. I enjoy all of the above, but for me, being out in the wilderness amongst the 1,000 year old Douglas Fir’s and cedars, listening to the birds chirping and simply being captivated in the calling of Mother Nature – that was enough to clear my mind.
When you create that “clearing in your mind” you will be surprised what inspiration and thoughts begin to unfold. For me, it provided some clarity on my life’s purpose; where I should invest my time the rest of the year to achieve our year-end targets and what future projects I want to tackle. You don’t have to get away to a secluded Island to find your thinking place, but you should explore where that place can be for you and what activities make you feel at ease.
I would love to hear from you! Please share what your special place is and what activities help you “clear your mind”.
For me, my happy place is cottage country. Muskoka, the Ottawa Valley, South of Gatineau in Quebec & all of the other lovely places throughout Ontario & Quebec. There is something about being at a cottage, on a lake, with a wood burning stove, surrounded by nature & often the rugged terrain & exposed Canadian Shield. Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall.
When I was fortunate to own my cottage, people told me that Winter was the most beautiful time, which I did not believe until I had the experience & it is true. The sun reflecting off of the freshly fallen snow, the animal tracks, the smell of wood burning & escaping up the chimney outside & the incredible quiet !!
Fond memories & certainly an escape from hectic city life.
Regards,
Scott Wren