Dessert First: Part Six (of Six)
Part One: New view, new you: The power of a workation
Part Two: Dessert first: Putting fun before function
Part Three: How to build a strong community
Part Four: Too happy to be busy
Part Five: I’m here for a big life
We’ve covered so much in my dessert-first living series, but the last thing I want to dive into is the power of breaking our habits. In my first book Too Busy to be Happy, I espoused the power of habits. And while I’m not changing my tune completely, I have discovered that there is great power in veering outside of your regular routine.
When our habits—which are so helpful at first—start to feel like a never-ending episode of Groundhog Day, they can slowly deplete our energy and engagement, leaving us stuck in a cycle of burnout and just feeling blah.
That’s why I think we need to (sometimes) intentionally break our routines. And one of my favorite ways is with a workation.
If you missed my first post in this series, I went on a workation this spring. (It’s exactly what it sounds like: working remotely from a destination that’s not your usual office–or your usual couch.) Think of it as a delightful interruption to your regular life; an experience that shakes things up in the best possible way.
When I went to Greece, it flipped my schedule (and my habits) upside down. It rejuvenated my brain, and recharged me in ways I didn’t know I needed. I still had client meetings and deliverables, but the change of scenery, culture, and daily routine made me feel even more energized and engaged.
Something fascinating happens to your brain when you step out of your routine. Your senses wake up.
Suddenly, you’re not just surviving the day—you’re experiencing it. Your brain kicks into high gear, soaking in new sights, smells and experiences. When I was away, I wasn’t just going through the motions of my regular routine. I was learning to sail, hiking through new landscapes and practicing yoga overlooking the ocean.
Sensory stimulation like this isn’t just good for your soul, it’s great for your work. Disrupting your habits helps your brain form new connections and think in fresh, creative ways. By the time I sat down to tackle my workday in the evenings, I was inspired and energized.
Ever since I came back, people have been asking me how I managed the time difference. And honestly, it just took a little planning. I gave myself some meeting-free days and condensed my calls into specific time blocks. This freed up my mornings and afternoons for activities that refilled my emotional real estate.
Here’s the thing: When you start your day doing things that genuinely fuel you, the energy you’re able to bring to your work skyrockets. For me, I was diving into my evening work hours with a tank that had already been filled with sunshine, exercise and endorphins. I actually found it easier to power through my late-night meetings. I was much more energized and productive at 11pm in Greece than I’ve ever been at 11pm at home.
So you’re probably wondering, what’s the point of all this, Christine? The point is that my time away left me with a major aha moment—well many, but for this edition of The Whipp we’ll focus on just one: that workations could save your workforce.
Living and working in a new environment is a gamechanger for anyone struggling with burnout or disengagement. We often think we need to work less or rest more to recover from exhaustion, but maybe what we really need is to break out of our regular routines and break some habits. We need to re-awaken our senses.
Workations aren’t just a personal win either, they’re a win for businesses too. Imagine offering your team the chance to work remotely from a dream destination for a few weeks. It’s less disruptive than a sabbatical but offers a similar effect.
For someone experiencing burnout, a workation could reignite their engagement and prevent them from quiet quitting–or leaving the organization altogether. It’s a great motivator for top performers too, giving them a chance to recharge without stepping away from their responsibilities. When you fill your days with joy, it’s a lot easier to bring your best self to every corner of your life, including your work.
What do you think? Would you offer your team the opportunity to go on a workation? Please join me on LinkedIn and let’s continue the conversation.
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