One of the things we noticed in Greece was people were not addicted to their phones. When you met someone, they were genuinely interested in getting to know you. They were friendly. They were excited to meet you. They were curious. They engaged in real conversation with us even though English is not their native language. Their head wasn't buried in their phone while they were talking with you. 100% of their attention was focused on you. Sure, everyone had a cell phone. People used their phones to make calls or to send messages via WhatsApp. They weren't constantly checking Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. They gave their undivided attention when they were conversing with you. I forgot what it's like to have someone give you 100% of their attention. Another thing we discovered was people in Greece are not addicted to Fox News or CNN. Only once did someone hint about our political unrest but he tiptoed around the topic not knowing which side were were on (isn't is sad we're 100% on one side or the other with no middle ground.) Most people were unaware of the BREAKING NEWS triggers we experience all day long on television and our phone alerts. They weren't interested in what was happening outside of their bubble. When we were on the super quiet islands of Paros and Naxos we asked locals what they did for fun in their spare time. From our perspective, there isn't a lot to do on these islands. No movie theaters or shopping centers. No local restaurants or bars that we saw. Not a lot of satellite dishes on homes. It's a very slow paced life. Locals work about six months of the year then businesses shut down for the winter when the tourists leave. The locals have a lot of free time and not a lot of activities to fill their free time. A few locals said they like to swim or go fishing. We asked what else do they do for fun. They looked at us with a puzzled look and shrugged their shoulders. After spending a week on the islands we started to slow down mentally and physically. We noticed we stopped picking up our phones every time we had a few seconds of down time. We didn't miss the constant triggering of BREAKING NEWS. I think I could get used to the Greek island lifestyle. What about you? When was the last time you were able to unplug from social media and BREAKING NEWS? Ted |
Join 60,000+ seasoned professionals who are done with the corporate world. Epic Encore is an almost daily newsletter with inspirational stories from leading experts. Your Epic Encore is about turning your lifetime experiences into the cornerstone of the rest of your life. It represents your audacious leap into entrepreneurship, fueled by the wisdom and tenacity you've garnered in your successful career. This isn't about playing catch-up in business and building a 7-figure business. It's about forging a unique path, using your distinct perspective, seasoned judgment, and invaluable insights that can only come from years of life experience.
Ellen and I just got back from two weeks in Greece where we consumed our fair share of gyros, baklava and ouzo. I have to admit I thought I was going to Greece for the views… But I ended up getting a history lesson, a family reckoning, and a quiet reset all in one. What surprised me most? I forgot that everything in Greece was built to honor the gods in mythology. Everything from crumbled ruins to giant stone temples is dedicated to Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo… Not just monuments. These...
Tomorrow, I’m heading to Greece for two weeks. It’s a trip Ellen and I have been dreaming about. As Ellen says, “We’re in go-go mode for the next 5–10 years.” We’re still sharp, still curious, still able to hike the hills, explore ruins, and sip wine by the sea. This is the beauty of the business I’ve built: ✅ I stay engaged with work that matters ✅ I have the flexibility to travel when I want ✅ I don’t have to choose between contribution and freedom Eventually, we’ll shift into “go slow”...
As I wrap up Rich Schefren’s Zenith Mind OS course, I’ve been reflecting on one of the biggest shifts I’ve ever made, not just in my business, but in how I show up in life. For most of my career, I was operating from a hidden belief: “I’ll stay safe if I don’t take up too much space.” That belief shaped everything: - I over-prepared instead of taking action - I learned instead of led - I polished my message instead of speaking But something changed. Through the Zenith Mind OS process, I built...