Out of Office – but Not Out of Mind.

Every August, my feed is filled with posts about slowing down, switching off, and the miracle of digital detox.

The advice sounds wise.

And yet, here’s the inconvenient truth:

Most people don’t need more vacation. They need mind training.

Because even when you're offline, you're rarely off.
You may be lying by the pool - but your mind is elsewhere. Planning. Rehearsing. Regretting. Worrying. Wandering.

This state is called "mind-wandering" in cognitive science.
Research shows that it reduces cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and even memory.
In fact, studies from Harvard and Stanford found that we spend nearly 50% of our waking hours in this distracted, unfocused mode - and the more we do, the less happy we feel.

So before we glorify our summer escape:
Let’s ask the real question.

Can you stay focused on one thing - with clarity and depth - for more than 3 minutes?

If not, no amount of vacation will restore your leadership capacity.

What we need is not just recreation, but a radical reset of mental habits.
Not just a few days of nature, but daily practice in cultivating concentration, presence, and mental clarity.

This is what I call Mind Excellence.
Not just wellbeing, but the inner discipline to train your attention.
To sustain focus.
To rest the mind, not just the body.

Because the real art is not switching off.
It’s learning how to stay fully switched on - with awareness and intention.

This summer: don’t just escape. Practice.
And when you return - don’t just restart. Lead from clarity.

As an Executive Coach, I’ve seen again and again:

Your mind is your most valuable asset. Train it like one.