I remember when I had just gotten my license, my friends and I would take a trip to nowhere (also known in certain circles as a “ROAD TRIP”)
We had no destination, no compass was set . . .
Just a couple of crazy kids and the open road!
Truth be told, its something I still do today but without my crazy friends and a lot less hair.
I’ll drive along Ocean Parkway on Long Island, open the sunroof and just think or
Just soak it all in!
Confession #2: I don’t limit this practice to my leisure time.
Sometimes I do it to step back and reflect
Sometimes I do it because I love the scenery
And other times I just do it because.
The only bad experience I’ve ever had with this was recently when I went for a ride and accidentally “pocket dialed” someone while I was singing along with a song on the radio. I didn’t know them too well and the bastard let me continue for 10 minutes.
Oh well . . . If there’s one message I continually try to deliver on this blog its to balance, take a chill and stop taking this all so seriously.
Perhaps that’s a play worthy of your playbook too?
This post was inspired by a discussion thread on The Otis Ford Fan Page on Facebook “Tell us about your best ride to nowhere story” Please stop by, “like” them and share your story. Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in that organization but my big brother Michael is trying to build a Facebook community there!
I usually will take a walk in the middle of the day to do the same thing…
It’s a great way to clear your head and just think of a few key items.
Good for your health and mind!
I like that Gary and might just have to take a “walk to nowhere” real soon!
Thank you!
I grew up in rural Indiana and we called it road farming. I cover N, SC and VA and I still road farm. I check the GPS and if the travel time is not much different I take the road less traveled. I have seen some wonderful country in the Shenandoah Valley and tidewater areas as well as the mountains and Piedmont.
That’s the way to do it!
I have routes like that up in NY where I can take a little longer to get somewhere but the scenery is too good to pass up . . . especially in the Fall!
Thanks!
Paul,
Been in sales more than 25 years and when making calls, travel 150-200 miles/day. But still nothing beats driving with a controlled atmosphere and music flowing it’s all good! The only wrench in that one is traffic.
Besides, you can’t take life too seriously, you’ll never get out of it alive.
Cheers!
Yep, the traffic can be a challenge!
The music can make it more tolerable.
Thanks Larry!
Hey Paul,
I have Pacific Coast Highway out here and I love to jump off the freeway and go by the coast and it just totally changes my view on things and I just feel more relaxed and the added bonus is that certain areas have beautiful homes overlooking the Pacific Ocean and I find it very inspiring…
I’m inspired just reading about that road Peter.
Sounds wonderful!
I love your idea of balance. What this brings up for me is that sometimes in business, we need to take a ride, not knowing where we are going so we can step out of the boundaries and see where it takes us. It allows us to go with the flow, to ease into whatever is about to emerge and to access new creative places that we perhaps haven’t considered.
And sometimes, we need to be focused about where we are going, otherwise we can end up meandering around in business, going nowhere and achieving nothing.
What you’ve written here is brilliant Jude and is yet another dimension to this concept of a ride to nowhere.
Thank you!
Strolling down the Avenue thats known as AIA….Jimmy Buffet and I love to kick back, get on the roadbike and just cruise along the beach. Perfect to clear the mind!
You had me at “Jimmy Buffet”
Thanks Beth!
Paul, I learned to drive in my Dad’s ’66 Mustang convertible, which he bought new and still has. Maybe that’s why I so wholeheartedly agree with your advice. I prefer the backroads versus the interstate. Crank down the window, crank up the music and sing like no one is listening. Jimmy Buffett is great but I’ve been known to belt out a few Springsteen lyrics as well. Thanks for reminding me to slow down!