An increase in pace requires thinking space!

It’s been nearly a week since our incredible trip to Hungary with the Hungarian British Business Alliance, making connections between Hungarian and UK companies.

If you do not know about the Hungarian British Business Alliance (HBBA), we would recommend finding out more about them! An independent organisation, they were founded to promote bilateral commerce, tourism, manufacturing, shipping, professional services and relations between the UK and Hungary as well as other Central European countries. Now HBBA has become a thriving network.

With the help and support of the Hungarian Embassy in London, and the London Chamber of Commerce, HBBA membership is bringing growth for start-ups, SMEs and entrepreneurs in both countries.

I have attended numerous HBBA events both in the UK and now in Hungary and I have to say that not only have I made some connections with some wonderful people, but I have benefited from some great opportunities as a result.

When I got back to the UK after the latest trip, whilst following up on the connections I had made, I found myself reflecting on the speed at which everything has been happening. I realised that attending the HBBA event in Hungary was another example of an unfolding mission for Cre8ion.

Cre8ion’s mission is to use the media to create community impact, globally.

If we had taken a pen at the beginning (long before we were networking in different countries) and drawn some dots around the globe, I would now be watching those dots start to join up. From Hungary to the USA, South Africa to France, and even crossing borders into Wales and Scotland, connections have now been forged.

As you can imagine, joining these dots has meant a few plane trips, and each time I find myself above the clouds it allows me to slow down and think about the direction I am taking.

It’s too easy to get distracted these days, and when we get distracted, we stop focusing on our mission. Too many notifications make us look down rather than ahead! Airplane mode enables me to switch off and go off the grid, alone in the clouds with my thoughts.

Waiting for the dust to settle Once on the plane, the minute I switch off internally, thought after thought comes to bombard me. There are always things I could be doing and they all start vying for my attention. Eventually, however, the shouting becomes quieter and then stops.

Sorting myself out I normally choose to sit by the window. Once I have stowed my bag away and had a look outside, I order a drink (non-alcoholic) and engage with the present. In a plane and off-grid, it’s time to enjoy the moment and settle into it!

I get so much enjoyment from looking out of the plane window or engaging with the stranger beside me! Maybe it’s because there is no need to be cutting any deals, at least not for now, I can save that for my destination where the new adventure is awaiting!

Catch the bubbles: At this point, things that matter start to come to the forefront of my thoughts. My lovely family, my children, how long it is since I last went on a date night with my wife, all the real stuff. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and I focus on them all fondly as I speed away from them. I’d better catch those thought bubbles and book a date night soon! I mentally lock these priorities and look out for some dates in my calendar so that I can take action.

Look beyond the present I always look out the window to the horizon, seeing as far as I can, whilst reminding myself of why I started in the first place. Counties, cities and people come flooding to memory. Sometimes connections I failed to follow up on come into view. I mentally log them and write them down – I’ll meet them in the future.

Join the dots Joining the dots is when. I see patterns start to emerge that I simply failed to notice amid busyness and business. It’s when fresh plans emerge with places and people… Just a little time up in the clouds allows me to make the connections and see what is shaping up in the future.

Landing loaded Having successfully ditched all the distractions I prepare myself to land with intention. I’m entering “next” with a fresh perspective, focused and refreshed. When I walk around the airport looking to collect my luggage, I do feel lighter.

Remember life can move fast If you have a flight to catch, give yourself some time and space rather than staying tuned in to noise and expectations. When you take advantage of a little space you give yourself some freedom to operate differently.

We, like our phones, benefit from a recharge – we don’t have to be completely flat before we plug back in again! Being back around the 90% is always slightly more reassuring – at least you know that you’ll get through the day!

So, if you need some time to refocus, recharge or realign, take that time to gaze out the window and think about where you are going and the connections you need to be making. And remember, we are always here for a conversation if you’re serious about going to next level.

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