I am back from a 17-day self-imposed social media withdrawal (with some selected self-assigned exceptions) and hereby enter the LinkedIn rumble once again. It was refreshing and stimulating to “get out of town,” way out of town–to tour the idyllic countries of Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Bosnia–to celebrate 2 big work anniversaries (25 years an entrepreneur, of which 15 years as a LinkedIn coach) and several weeks back’s big birthday (IYKYN) and to boldly return to post-COVID international travel. Time for a first-class seat in my own narrative to appreciate accomplishments.
I needed to recharge my batteries, although early wakeups to get on the road to the next tourist destination earned me snoozes on the tour bus, and as I ate waaaay out of my diet with no guilt, but I am happy to report I only gained 1 pound, due to the pace of 6-8 miles trod per day. No excess baggage in the way.
I learned so very much, met some amazing-er people within my travel group and among local experts who lectured on various topics.
Along the asphalt and cobble stone path, while rolling with my suitcases I learned a few things (in no particular order):
- I am so small in comparison to grandeur of the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, a UNESCO cultural site (the very same feeling I had when I saw the Grand Canyon).
- Energized by my work, it was still healthy to take a major break of nearly 3 weeks from daily blogging and commenting (but I still managed to congratulate some on achievements, help others in a pickle, and chat with closest colleagues and share some pics too), coaching and training. I can’t help it! I had a window seat to your experience although far away and 6 time zones ahead.
- I met an intellectual in Sarajevo who lectured about his ethnicity and pride of heritage, despite enduring the horrors of the war in the 1990s. At the end of his presentation I asked him to connect on LinkedIn, and I am happy to report we now trade ideas and comments, and this could be a wonderful way to learn from his unique experience as a new seatmate in my journey.
- Ahead and during the trip, I read on the area and prepared myself to delve deeper into the human condition that still pursues war as a means to change, which I lament. Some of our speakers related the story of the ethnic cleansing and atrocities from their POV as young children, something no one at any age should witness. No onboard film could ever equate to real life.
- We agreed to, and managed not to, discuss US politics for 17 days, and I survived without surges in my blood pressure and foul language about this topic that I would have experienced otherwise. A few hotels had no English language news broadcast, at first a disappointment, but later realized to be a gift. On time arrival to a happier place!
- And finally, I had unencumbered fun, joking, punning, exploring, photographing architecture and flowers and locals. I recall with relish negotiating with merchants with no common language except a translator app on my iphone, a challenge that technology has overcome over the golden oldie days of international travel. Memories are made to be relived. Oh, one more thing I nearly forgot: (the little boy in me):
- I flew home on an Airbus A380-800, the largest jet every manufactured, a double decker plane, remarkably comfortable in Economy class and with a noticeable reduction in onboard white noise.
As an old banking colleague in Brazil used to tell me, to unfurl new ideas, we should “fly together.” So I am back at my own virtual port as I write to you this morning.
One caveat to my earlier flight plan and a slight rerouting, for my part at least once a week, I will continue to nourish you with my impressions, with a LinkedIn flourish, which can benefit you too, in this blog. Although I am newly energized, dear readers, I will sporadically blog here, perhaps not daily, but whenever I do I intend to make it worth your while to gain some insight from me.
In return I ask you to continue to offer your verbal comments of “why” you felt you had to comment (not emojis, eh?).
Onward! Let’s soar.
If you have not already, you can subscribe at https://connect2collaborate.com/linkedin-nuggets/.
Stay tuned. My engines are still roaring.