#OutsideWork: Connect with Curiosity

We live in a world that’s increasingly connected. Planes, trains and automobiles enable us to travel the world. Laptops, smartphones and tablets keep us plugged into an endless stream of status updates, emails and cat memes. It’s easy to listen without learning. It’s easy to consume information without contributing or creating anything. If you let it, the on-the-go lifestyle and barrage of information will drain your batteries just as quickly as it will drain your smartphone.

When I need to recharge, I unplug and carve out time for curiosity. As I make time to explore my interests, I ignite my imagination and renew my energy.

In the past few years, I’ve taken classes in everything from belly dancing to digital photography. I recently joined 99 other “ruckus makers” in altMBA, an intensive, 4-week online workshop designed by Seth Godin for high-performing individuals who want to level up and lead. The workshop was an amazing opportunity to connect and collaborate with innovators from around the world. The program gave me new tools and frameworks that strengthened my ability to make strategic decisions, turn constraints into opportunities and navigate the dynamics of organizational change. I was challenged to give -- and receive -- a lot of constructive feedback. I pushed through busy weeks and late nights to “ship” 12 projects in one month. I got more comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I’m still applying those lessons to my work and my life every day.

When I invest in myself and connect with my curiosity, I sharpen my skills and deepen the well of creativity that I draw from for my 9-to-5 pursuits and passion projects, making my life richer at the office and #OutsideWork.

My advice is to reconnect with your curiosity and invest in your interests. The more you learn, the more you can level up in every area of your life.