Unplug, Immerse, and Reboot: Part 1 [048]
Thank You To Our Partners, The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound
In our episode today…
I want to discuss the benefits of the recent camping trip my wife and I enjoyed in Northern Michigan.
As our listeners well understand – we talk a lot about getting outside our comfort zones on this podcast – and while that is usually in the context of practicing our communication skills, today, the topic is more about stepping AWAY…
Specifically from people, electronics, and modern comforts or modes of transportation, and instead highlight the benefits of immersing yourself in nature and rebooting your mind.
My wife, Betsy, and I did our stepping away together by stepping onto a ferryboat and taking a nearly 2-hour trip West into Lake Michigan. We traveled from Fishtown in Leland (tip of the pinky on the Michigan map) and docked at South Manitou Island, where we would hike and camp with only the things we carried.
South Manitou is a 10-mile circumference, barely inhabited island in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Its pristine fresh water is as blue as the Caribbean, just not as warm!
If our adventure intrigues you, you’ll enjoy this episode, as I hope to challenge and encourage you to seek out a similar type of adventure, as well as learn why I think this topic merits greater emphasis in our modern lives, now more than ever.
Today’s WOTD is: Garrulous
GAIR-uh-lus
adjective
- Containing many and often too many words.
- Talkative. Verbosity.
“He delivered a rather garrulous speech.”
Some Context:
This camping trip has been on the calendar for me and my wife most of the year.
Our anniversary gift(s) to ourselves has involved a mix of ordering camping gear online -to frequent trips to REI.
What’s important to note is that I have virtually no real experience ‘camping’ or ‘backpacking.’
Sure, I am into rucking as a fitness regime, and that builds strength to carry heavy loads long distances – hiking and backpacking involve practical gear, and as light a load as you can possibly make to bring what you need to survive.
Our goals were threefold.
1.) Unplug and disconnect from devices, noise, and distraction
2.) Immerse ourselves in nature
3.) Reboot and return refreshed – with the “Three Day Effect” (which we’ll explain)
My hope was that this will improve for my wife and I both, our creative minds, our ability to focus and solve problems, and in general become more adept with backpacking and camping to take longer adventures together!
UNPLUG:
On the goal of disconnecting:
Listen. I’ve felt like stepping away from constant connection for a while now.
I’ve done something of an Irish Goodbye with Facebook. That is, I never said anything, I just sort of left it. There are so many reasons, many of which our Speak Up listeners are familiar with. Despite benefiting from a social media presence in my career, I am no fan of social media.
I could tell you more about alarming statistics of wasted human time (i.e. that the equivalent of 200,000 entire human lifetimes are spent endlessly scrolling social media)
I could talk about how companies like Meta are harvesting every piece of data they can about you to manipulate you to a.) spend more time on their ecosystem and b.) spend money with their advertisers.
I could tell you I’m sick of being distracted…
But the real catalyst for me was regarding some exchanges I observed among even respected friends. Public disputes were becoming more common – toxic groupthink was becoming more normalized – and antithetical points contrary to topics we cultivate and invite guests to discuss on this show were becoming more popular.
The argument that “we need to be the good we want to see” in order to produce better online interactions is not, I repeat, NOT a valid point when the platform is deliberately engineered to harvest your information, manipulate, and distract you. While I am open to participation in an online forum to stay connected with my far away friends, I don’t know of such a platform
So I left. Sometime back in May.
I mention this – because when people say “Unplug” they often think about it in terms of a social media break. No no.
I knew I was craving MUCH more than that.
In the months I’ve been off social media, I have celebrated happy occasions, mourned the loss of loved ones, enjoyed success in my occupation, traveled to another continent, and eaten amazing meals with wonderful people, and yet… all this while remaining present has been my goal.
Achieving varying degrees of real presence… I think… is nearly as exhausting as being distracted. And make no mistake. I am an extroverted personality!
I think this is rather profoundly true for a lot of us, and may be something to consider on why you may catch yourself endlessly scrolling, instead of asking yourself “What am I looking for?” Try asking yourself, “What are you looking to escape?”
The answers may not be obvious – but what became clear to me in my reading these past few years – is that we are made for nature. We are made for nature and yet – so much of what we cultivate removes us from that ecosystem.
I will say – I was disappointed to learn that our cell phones still had a signal on the island – at some spots (which were noted by the notifications we received if the phones were left on as we crossed a point that had a signal).
Thus – I turned off my device. Instead – I enjoyed relying on a “Camp Snap” camera for the occasions I wanted to capture an image. (Camp Snap cameras are like old school disposable cameras – but they are digital and you don’t throw them away. The point is they have no screen to distract you and you don’t look at your pictures until after your trip! Nostalgic low tech fun!
https://www.campsnapphoto.com/
Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound:
The Institute at WeAreTheInstitute.com. “Stop stressing over your business, you deserve a good night’s sleep. The Institute’s coaching helps you achieve success and financial peace.
AutoFlow at AutoFlow.com. Your partner in technology, Autoflow consolidates your client interactions – before, during and after the visit to a single thread. Learn more at Autoflow.com
AutoLeap at AutoLeap.com. Are you tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your auto repair shop? Say hello to the streamlined efficiency of AutoLeap, the #1 all-in-one Auto Repair Shop Management Software!
Shop Dog Marketing at Shop Dog Marketing.com. “Want to see your auto repair shop thrive? Let Shop Dog Marketing be your guide. Our customer-first approach, combined with AI-driven creative content, ensures top rankings.
In-Bound at CallInBound.com. Cover your communication needs and revolutionize your auto repair business with AI-driven call analytics from InBound.
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