I’m checking in from the road again. After seven days in Hawaii, I’m already on the move. This week was my first real vacation of the year. Not because I don’t have time, but because I usually feel like I don’t need it. Still, it felt amazing to clear my head.
A full week with notifications turned off, no checking emails (okay, I peeked once), not being constantly reachable, not pulling out my phone all the time or trying to stay up to date. At the beginning I still had that impulse, of course – waiting at reception or in a restaurant. But I managed to keep the phone in my pocket. And instantly, I was much more present, much more in the moment. I appreciated this incredible place so much more.
From Europe, Hawaii is insanely far and a vacation there is super expensive – if anything, a once-in-a-lifetime thing. But through a West Coast lens it looks very different. From L.A. it’s only a 5-hour flight, and prices are similar to back home. Suddenly this crazy paradise becomes reachable.
While I was traveling with my wife Laura on O’ahu (the main island, e.g., Honolulu) and Big Island (amazing nature), I took the time for a personal year-in-review. A bit early, I know, but: Why wait until New Year’s for good resolutions? There are still 40 days left this year – start now!
What brings me joy?
Easy: letting myself be surprised. Like with Chris Williamson’s show. Just going to events without knowing exactly what to expect. Going to concerts where I don’t know the band. Trying new things. Normally I prepare everything super meticulously. Even for hikes I check the route with photos in advance and see whether the view is worth it. I definitely want to change that for personal stuff. If I’m going to a business conference that costs 10k, of course I need to know in advance whether it’s worth it.
What were my crucial activities this year?
One big thing I learned this year: my job as CEO is not to be as busy as possible. My job is to have great ideas that move the business forward. I don’t have to be the task master crossing off 100 to-dos a day – but the one who pushes the business forward with vision and drive. For that I need freedom – to be out and about, to network, etc. That only works with a great team that has your back. In Leipzig, for example, that’s Leon and Tina, who are absolutely crushing it with BDX Germany.
What do I want to get rid of?
Honestly, I don’t really have much on my list yet. I’ll keep checking everything against whether it contributes to the vision of BDX and NTS.
That’s it for this week. And since we’re already talking year-in-review: Which topics from the newsletter or the podcast were most interesting to you? Which learnings helped you the most? Reply to this newsletter and let me know. I’m up for a bit of back-and-forth.
I’m off to Las Vegas now for the Formula 1 weekend. Big thanks to Liqui Moly and especially Sebastian Zelger for the invitation.
See you next Friday! ✌️
Benjamin
