Make time for yourself
The weather is finally warming up in Washington, and for me, that means more time spent outside. I love the outdoors, whether hiking or taking a ride on my Harley.
When IâÂÂm on my own in the outdoors, I can recharge and think without being interrupted. A recent post on Entrepreneur by emotional intelligence expert Travis Bradberry says that solitude is good for your mental and emotional well-being. âÂÂTo get the most out of life, you must learn to enjoy spending time alone,â he writes.
Bradberry lists seven benefits of solitude:
- You recuperate and recharge.
- You can do what you want.
- You learn to trust yourself.
- It increases your emotional intelligence.
- It boosts your self-esteem.
- You appreciate other people more.
- You get more done.
IâÂÂve spent a fair amount of time on this blog discussing emotional intelligence (No. 4 on BradberryâÂÂs list). It is an important tenet of being a good leader; recognizing and understanding our own emotions, and those of others, helps us manage our behaviors and relationships.
âÂÂSince self-awareness requires understanding your emotions and how you react to various people and situations, this necessitates careful self-reflection, and self-reflection happens best when youâÂÂre alone,â Bradberry explains.
So I encourage you, enjoy some time outside (or inside) this weekend alone. The benefits of self-reflection and solitude are numerous and necessary.
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