Lessons From Sabbatical That I Will Bring Back With Me to the Office

While covering countless miles of trails through the Beehive State (not to mention traversing 10 miles of the Virgin River known as The Narrows), I had plenty of time to clear my head and mull over my thoughts. I became abundantly aware of how many parallels there are between the choices you make in nature and how to best navigate the workplace. Here are three mental-health lessons I brought back to the office and will carry with me throughout my career.

Nothing at work is as difficult as it appears

I remember looking up at Chimney Rock in Capitol Reef and thinking, “whoa, this isn’t going to be easy.” In sizing up the challenge ahead, I was too focused on elements that convinced me of its difficulty rather than simply tightening up my bootstraps and saying, “Let’s do this!”

When I reached the peak and looked down at the expansive valley below, I was reminded of the feeling I’ve had so many times before: it really wasn’t as difficult as I thought it was going to be. And the sense of accomplishment was enormous.

The Ad Industry Needs to Address Mental Health Differently

As I made my way back down the trail, it struck me that I had crossed this same bridge before at my agency. Many times, I faced a new challenge that appeared daunting at first—from transitioning to a strategic services role to tackling a client crisis for the first time. If I focused on what seemed difficult, it was a hard row to hoe; if I accepted it for what it was, put in the work that was necessary and kept my eye on the prize, it was much easier on my psyche.

And just like with that mountain in Utah, when I reached my end-goal I could look back and recognize that nothing is as difficult as you might think it is when first starting out. You just need to get out of your own way and forge ahead.

Go with the flow

Few things go “according to plan.” As much as you might take the time to lay things out, you should always anticipate those unexpected bumps in the road.

Prior to embarking on my trip, I made sure my car was ready for the journey with preventative maintenance. And yet, as I attempted to leave my Moab hotel for Arches, the car didn’t start. It was a Friday and nearly every mechanic was booked until Monday. After all that advance planning, I was frustrated.

The same holds true in the office: it’s wise to have a Plan B or C on deck for when things go awry. I recall one time when we were traveling to a prospect’s office for an important, new business pitch. They assured us they had all the appropriate equipment and connections and told us we only need to bring our laptop and zip drive. Naturally, it didn’t work as promised but we had the foresight to bring extra equipment as a precaution.

The more you go with the flow, the less anguish you’ll endure.

Fortunately, that day I found one auto shop that said they’d see if they could fix it by the end of the day. I decided to enjoy some time in town on foot—had a nice, leisurely lunch in an outdoor café; shopped for gifts to bring home; and toured the visitor center to get ideas for new adventures not on my radar.

The key is to not beat yourself up when it doesn’t turn out the way you had in mind. Instead, when you meet resistance—remain open to pivoting. The more you go with the flow, the less anguish you’ll endure. And you just might gain some positive takeaways in the process.

Positivity breeds positivity

Positive energy breeds positive energy. This might be a little too New-Agey for some, but the idea is simple: the kind of energy you put out is typically the kind of energy you get back.

It always struck me how friendly people are when you cross them on a trail. Nearly all will greet you with a smile, nod or kind word. That’s hard to ignore. You want to reciprocate, and the simple exchange tends to make you feel good about yourself and the world around you.

One day after exchanging friendlies winding down (and back up) Bryce’s Fairyland Loop, it struck me how different it is when you pass someone while hiking compared to in the office. I thought to myself, I wonder what it would be like if everybody greeted each other in the workplace (or on the street, for that matter) like they do on the trail?

So, as we’ve started our return to the office after working from home, I have made a point to greet colleagues like I do when I’m hiking. Some seem caught off-guard yet quickly respond in kind. It might seem inconsequential, but what if the practice catches on and people start to perpetuate positivity without even thinking about it? Could something so simple actually have an impact?

A break from the daily grind yields positive, long-time results

I recognize not every company offers sabbaticals and not every employee is able to take one, but I encourage both to pursue them. Beyond the obvious mental health benefits, an extended break from the daily grind often yields greater loyalty, renewed enthusiasm, and fresh thinking—as it did for me.

My sabbatical also helped me to see how my perception influences my mindset and, in turn, how my reaction to the world around me impacts my mental well-being. It might not sound like much, but my appreciation of The Great Outdoors has also taught me that every journey begins with one step.

Work Is Not Everything to the New Generation of Marketers