ISSUE THREE
Together is the best place to be! WOODLOCH MEETINGS DIARY “I can’t say enough great things about my experience with Woodloch. Each year, our company plans an annual retreat to escape the day-to-day for a few days and enjoy activities and bond with our colleagues. ” -Erin, SeatGeek
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WOODLOCHMEETINGS.COM
WINTER 2020
TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS
3) Don’t forget the importance of food and beverage in Because we don’t all live in a consistently sunny climate and most of us don’t have the resources to create a the staying healthy aequation! It’s easy go overboard biophilic workspace, viable solution is tototake a weekend retreat to a place like Woodloch Resort. Woodloch and indulge traveling. becauseyou you’re offers variouswhile activities thatBut willjust reconnect withaway nature and allow you to immerse yourself in fresh air. from your normal doesn’tmood, meangoodwill, it’s an excuse to which are all things most offices wouldn’t mind Studies show that routine, nature boosts and trust, 4 . having more of go wild. Look at food the same way as exercise; this is the perfect time to try something new! Delicious fruits “Forest Bathing” is anotherinalternative to a biophilic workspace that provides many benefits to the mind and and vegetables abound warm locales. Destinations body, and allows oneself to connect senses with nature. The sound of the forest, birds chirping, sunlight with year-round warm temperatures are a popular choice peeking through the trees, and fresh air allows for a particular comfort and ease to the mind. According to meetings, and by these places are lucky enough afor study sponsored the same Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 93% of their time 5 to have. year-round growing The avocado The best part about seasons. forest bathing is that it’syou free, all you have to do is step outside. Find a park or indoors have in California is guaranteed to be avorful as just sit and meditate for a few moments. nature-rich enviroment where you can takeasa flwalk or even the local grass fed beed you’ll have when you travel to Pennsylvania. And if you’ll be dining out for client meetings, research restaurant menus online beforehand so that you have an idea of healthy items to choose.
A recent study entitled the “2019 Wellness in Meetings and Incentive Travel Study,” conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation, found that less than 10 percent of planners consider meetings and events to be “very healthy.” While most respondents reported that their companies agree upon the importance of wellness in business travel, they disagree upon its implementation. Planners were most vocal about the issue of budgetary constraints, with around 40% stating that increasing budget would only make meetings “somewhat healthier.”
It is safe to say that staying on a fitness and diet plan is usually not the first thing that comes to mind when people think of business travel. The combination of harried schedules, calorie-laden meals, and unfamiliar surroundings can serve as a major challenge while trying to stay healthy. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost! Below, we’ve compiled some tips that will help you stay focused on your wellness goals during your next work trip:
4) Recognize the importance of sleep! One of the best business travel tips is to stay rested. Sleep plays a paramount role in helping you feel productive and engaged. Consider bringing a sleep mask and earplugs and using a white noise app, which can help aid in the sleep process despite changes in time zone and routine. As tempting as late-night cocktails may be, it’s best to skip them when possible, and try to take advantage of any rest periods between sessions. you return frombuilding your trip, makeWhile a commitment to Another great outdoor option for your office isWhen participating in team activities. team building incorporate of these smallin changes intoofyour weekly is in and of itself beneficial in creativing cohesion betweensome employees, adding the element nature can routine. Yougenerally will be well on your way to establishing healthy boost morale as stated earlier. The bottom line is that people are healthier, happier and more productive when they are connected to nature. It’s really just a win, win situation. So do not hesitate to habits and an active lifestyle while also improving take your your work outside! performance at work and at home! Resources: 1. 2. 3. 4.
1) The best, easiest, and most obvious way to stay fit on vacation is to incorporate exercise into your day. Most business hotels now provide complimentary fitness centers. When you’re exploring a new place, skip the car/ bus/train and do it on foot (or bike). Meeting planners are also putting increased focus on pre-meeting exercise sessions, such as group hikes or yoga, or even walking meetings! 2) Breakout sessions have also been gaining in popularity. Unfamiliar environments, long days, and travel stress can disrupt one’s ability to focus. Providing meeting attendees with wellness rooms or quiet spaces to practice meditation and mindfulness can be a big help in keeping attendees present and relaxed.
5.
https://socialmediaweek.org/blog/2015/05/need-start-taking-work-outdoors/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/06/25/5-data-backed-ways-working-outdoors-can-improve-employee-well-being/#487727e44eb8 https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/06/28/l-l-bean-promotes-office-spaces-working-outdoors/732495002/ https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/benefits-of-working-outdoors https://www.nature.com/articles/7500165
The Power of Thinking Outside the Office
TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS
Remember when you used to tell your parents that you felt sick in hopes they would let you miss school and then they would respond with the dreaded ‘“go get some fresh air”? Well, whether you would like to admit it or not, they were onto something.
3) Don’t forget the importance of food and beverage in the staying healthy equation! It’s easy to go overboard and indulge while traveling. But just because you’re away from your normal routine, doesn’t mean it’s an excuse to go wild. Look at food the same way as exercise; this is the perfect time to try something new! Delicious fruits and vegetables abound in warm locales. Destinations with year-round warm temperatures are a popular choice for meetings, and these same places are lucky enough to have year-round growing seasons. The avocado you have in California is guaranteed to be as flavorful as the local grass fed beed you’ll have when you travel to Pennsylvania. And if you’ll be dining out for client meetings, research restaurant menus online beforehand so that you have an idea of healthy items to choose.
A recent study entitled the “2019 Wellness in Meetings and Incentive Travel Study,” conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation, found that less than 10 percent of planners consider meetings and events to be “very healthy.” While most respondents reported that their Many of us can relate to that feeling of being in a rut at work, whether it’s a creative block or a bit of stir craziness from companies agree upon the importance of the fluorescent lighting. There are now studies that show a direct correlation between connecting yourself with nature wellness in business travel, they disagree upon and higher work productivity. Companies like Google, L.L. Bean, and LinkedIn are now creating outdoor workspaces its implementation. Planners were most vocalrather because of this impact. By simply changing the air, temperature, and scenery, it gives staff fresh inspiration about the isissue of proven budgetary constraints, with it or than being stuck in a stagnant office. Being surrounded by nature not only to reduce stress, but believe aroundlonger³. 40% stating that increasing budget would not, people actually tend to work harder and can concentrate It reduces mental fatigue and improves physical 4 . So in other words, and mental health¹. Taking a nature walk boosts creativity and problem solving skills by 60% only make meetings “somewhat healthier.” we
4) Recognize the importance of sleep! One of the best business travel tips is to stay rested. Sleep plays a paramount role in helping you feel productive and engaged. Consider bringing a sleep mask and earplugs and using a white noise app, which can help aid in the sleep process despite changes in time zone and routine. As tempting as late-night cocktails may be, it’s best to skip them when possible, and try to take advantage of any rest periods between sessions.
As humans we are designed to have a connection to nature and other living things, this phenomenon is called biophilia². This helps explain why we crave a seat with a window when working or enjoying dinner. It also helps explain that feeling of bliss we get when we step outside to a nice breezy and sunny day. Many of the countless benefits of spending time outdoors can also directly boost work quality and satisfaction. For example, walking among trees is shown to 4 . increase memory byon 20%, being freshplan air for 20 minutes to a cuptoofmind coffeewhen It is safeshort-term to say that staying a fiand tness andindiet is usually notprovides the firstenergy thing equal that comes
When you return from your trip, make a commitment to incorporate some of these small changes into your weekly routine. You will be well on your way to establishing healthy habits and an active lifestyle while also improving your performance at work and at home!
thrive in nature.
people think of business travel. The combination of harried schedules, calorie-laden meals, and unfamiliar By simply scheduling time in your day to get fresh air, you may make a significant impact to your health and wellbeing. surroundings can serve as a major challenge while trying to stay healthy. That doesn’t mean all hope is Casual meetings or phone calls can be scheduled outside in fresh air, you may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. lost! Below, provide we’ve compiled some tipssetting that will help you stay focused on your wellness goals during your The outdoors a more comfortable for conversation, where you might find more things will get accomnext work trip: plished. Also, interviews can be conducted outside of the office, you might find that you will be able to see more of the interviewee’s authentic self this way.
1) The best, easiest, and most obvious way to stay fit on vacation is to incorporate exercise into your day. Most business hotels now provide complimentary fitness centers. When you’re exploring a new place, skip the car/ bus/train and do it on foot (or bike). Meeting planners are also putting increased focus on pre-meeting exercise sessions, such as group hikes or yoga, or even walking meetings! 2) Breakout sessions have also been gaining in popularity. Unfamiliar environments, long days, and travel stress can disrupt one’s ability to focus. Providing meeting attendees with wellness rooms or quiet spaces to practice meditation and mindfulness can be a big help in keeping attendees present and relaxed.
Be Accountable
BALANCE
To combat procrastination, set a goal for yourself at the beginning of everyday and hold yourself accountable to it. To-do lists are a great way to keep yourself on track, and they are a great visual tool to see what you have to complete. When you manually cross each of the tasks off the list, it gives you a sense of motivation and relief. It’s also a great record to keep to show what you have accomplished in an annual or biannual review. At the end of each day, get into the habit of drafting the next day’s to-do list. This will allow you to mentally plan for what’s in store the following day.
Cheats, hacks, and good ol’ common sense to help you make it all somehow work.
All things considered, I’ve had but a few regrets in life. One of them was not discovering the music of folk troubadour Jim Croce until I was in my late 20’s.
Learn to Cope with Stress Stress is inevitable, and there is always another source of it right around the corner. Finding a method that works for you to cope with stress can allow you to convert that stress into motivation. Before you get yourself freaked out, reason with yourself, go through the logistics, and take a new perspective. Remember, some things are out of your control and it is something we all have to accept. Having an outlet to use when you feel overwhelmed will help keep your mind right. Sometimes it’s just a matter of having a few quiet moments to yourself to meditate, do yoga or journal. Sometimes you need to take that kick boxing class or evening run. Most importantly find out what works for you. Coping with stress is tricky, but it can also greatly increase your productivity once you find a plan customized for you.
Take the lyrics of “Time in a Bottle.” Croce simply states that “there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them.” The stars that shine the brightest burn twice as fast- Jim was a prophet of truth. Time is the one thing that no matter how rich you are, you’ll never be able to get enough of. In fact, one might even argue that the tradeoff for acquiring more wealth is exchanging your precious time straight up. Unless you were born truly independently wealthy and have a team of trusted professionals managing your fortune, most of us simply have to work. So the million dollar question really is: how do we balance work and life perfectly? How do we juggle the things we want to do with the things we have to do and still feel alright about it all at the end of the day? There’s no true concrete answer to this conundrum, but there are things we can do to try to stabilize it all.
Move More & Take Breaks Recently scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana reviewed the lifestyle of 17,000 men and women over the duration of 13 years. The scientists found that 54% of those people are more likely to die of heart attacks; the reason was because they were sitting most of the day². It is no secret that sitting at a desk for an extended period of time is bad for your health, and working continuously for that time does not mean you are accomplishing more. Sometimes the best way to get something done is to take a step back. Standing and moving around improves blood flow to the brain, which enhances cognition¹. Other times taking a step back is not enough, taking a long break from a project could allow you to cultivate new ideas and a fresh perspective. Even sleep could be the ideal “break” to take. Our productivity and creativity skills need rest too, this is why we often come up with the best ideas in the morning shower!
Resources: 1. https://www.nytimes.com/guides/business/how-toimprove-your-productivity-at-work 2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/04/24/12-tips-for-increasing-productivity/#3983a0a046de
How to Increase Your Productivity Staying constantly focused at work can be a challenge. At the end of the day sometimes we are disappointed by how little we have accomplished. You find yourself becoming distracted, focusing on l low-priority tasks, or simply just procrastinating. Productivity is a combination of effort and smart planning. To optimize our time, we have to create a list of priorities we need to accomplish. Not every technique for improving productivity is going to work for you, but here are some that can make all the difference in your work day if you adapt them to your style and personality.
KEEP FIRST THINGS FIRST
In other words… “prioritize.” That’s a nice little clutch word that very few of us truly know the meaning of. Author Stephen Covey once had a popular analogy with rocks, pebbles and sand in jars. The long and short of it is that without putting the bigger rocks in first- life’s proverbial “Big Things”- they simply wouldn’t fit if life’s “little things” were there first. In both work and home life, take a moment (or maybe a day, or week or whatever you need) and find out what your true priorities in life are. That’s the first step to making it all work.
Multitask in Moderation Multitasking does not necessarily mean you are getting more done at once. Usually it means you are getting things accomplished but not at your full potential. We all have a limited amount of cognitive bandwidth, meaning there is only so much your mind can hold at one time. Multitasking is only making your brain work harder (not smarter). More mistakes are made while multitasking, and it can also diminish creativity due to lack of focus. Innovative thinking arises when we allow our brains to follow a logical pathway for an extended period. Because the brain functions similar to a muscle, it becomes stronger with use¹. Therefore, training your brain to focus on one thing, even if it’s only for five minutes, may increase both your productivity and creativity.
SET GOALS
A wise man once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” He was right. Everything in life will be just a tad clearer when you create goals for yourself, short term and long term. Want to have your article done and ready for proofing by day’s end? GOOD, stick to that goal! As your day rolls at you, stay on target the best you can and push yourself to get that objective accomplished, even if it means letting more trivial matters slide. Completing these tasks on schedule will not only give you a boost of confidence but will encourage you to keep setting goals going forward. Speaking of which…
Remove Temptation We live in a world full of clutter and distractions. Open your phone to respond to a text, and 10 minutes later, you may find yourself on your first grade teacher’s Facebook page. In the United States, over 12.2 billion collective hours are being spent browsing on social media networks everyday². Actively resisting the urge to check up on social media can greatly increase your productivity and free up a lot of time that you didn’t even realize you were wasting. Put your phone away and silence your notifi cations. If you are still distracted, try taking a brief, three-minute walk to refresh. Also, the tendency to become dis-tracted is human nature; do not beat yourself up over it. The more you exercise your prefrontal cortex (the more evolved part of our brains), the more it becomes easier to focus¹.
ELIMINATE “TIME WASTERS”
There’s nothing worse than a complete and utter waste of time. Seconds turn to minutes, minutes become hours, hours become days… you get the picture. The best thing we can do (once we are able to identify these activities, events, and yes even PEOPLE) is to break ties with them and move on with our lives. We can do it nicely and with class, but for the love of Pete, please refrain from wasting your precious time with these sorts of entities!
DRAW A LINE...
This one’s a biggie. There’s something going down on the job. There’s a big important event happening in your personal life. YOU need to make a call; which of these becomes your priority? It all depends, but in grudge matches such as this, I will almost always air to the family / home life event. Family is forever. As much as it might hurt for any of us to admit, if we died tomorrow, there’s a very good chance the job posting for your vacant position would be posted well before your obituary. Kids are only young for so long, and time with family and friends should be treasured as tomorrow is never promised. I’m talking “Cats in the Cradle” stuff here, folks. Don’t regret.
“ZONE OUT”
In both the office and the home, you’re going to find times when the noise is so irritatingly loud that you won’t be able to hear yourself think. This is just about the worst situation you can be in. If you’re willing and able to, pack up the laptop or tablet and relocate to a more peaceful location; it makes all the difference. If you’re not blessed with that sort of mobility, invest in a nice pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Whether you tune in to white noise, Whitesnake, or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a little bit of sound will drown the distractions out quite nicely. Watch your productivity blossom.
DOn’t be a hero
You might be thinking, “I can do it all. There’s a way to balance everything without missing a beat anywhere.” You’d be wrong. It might feel like we can manage things for a bit, but sooner or later, something has to give. The point is, even Superman had the Justice League to step in and give him a hand. You have your coworkers, family and friends there to cover your back. When you need help with things, ASK THEM! You’ll find that if love is in their heart (or, the boss is in the loop), others will step in and give you a hand with tasks when need be. That way, the job is wrapped up in a timely fashion and we can move on to things we really want to make time for. Which brings us to our next point...
It’s like sledding, only way cooler. Ditch your little plastic saucer and itty-bitty sloped driveway, and trade them for an inner tube and a killer hill on the side of a mountain. You’ll find this snow sport at resorts or ski hills throughout most of the Northern United States. Up to 1,300 foot runs are designed to get you and your tube down to the bottom as swiftly and thrillingly as possible, with ramps and vertical drops along the way. Don’t quite classify yourself as a thrill-seeker? That’s okay! Less adventurous adults and small children can usually find a tamer version of these tube runs at the same location.
Really just in it for the view? Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy the winter months at a slower pace, but don’t let a scenic walk over a blanket of fresh snow fool you. There’s still a certain level of dexterity needed for this activity as your steps must be large and purposeful enough to make headway in sometimes rough conditions. A common suggestion when choosing a snowshoe destination is to try cutting your normal hiking trail length in half and start there. No more spending your winters wistfully watching the snow fall. Get out and try something new!
TAKE A BREAK
I feel like I’ve been picking a bit on workaholics- maybe that’s true. There are actually people in the world who LOVE to work. And that’s cool. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that pushing yourself too hard for too long can have adverse effects on both your physical and psychological health. Not to mention the rule of diminishing returns- eventually, your efforts won’t be worth your payout. When that happens, it’s time to take a break. Maybe 15 minutes. Maybe a day off. And best of all, a vacation getaway. Leave the phone, iPad, and laptops powered off and spend some quality time with those you love even if it’s just YOU. If all goes well, you’ll return to the job you love oh-so-much rested, refreshed and ready to bring your work game to the next level.
OR... JUST LISTEN TO THE PROS
The good news is, we aren’t the world’s first leading authority of work/life balance. But luckily for us, there are hundreds of books, blogs, and motivational speakers that can further help you realize and achieve your goal of balancing it all. Authors like Stephen Covey, David Allen, Seth Godin and Laura Vanderkam all have terrific books covering this very subject matter. Buying a $15 book seems like a small investment for something that can reap huge dividends in your life. Have very little time to read? Most of these are available on Audiobook for the commute to and from work!
In 2017, the number of skiers in the United States totaled around 14.94 million, and the number of snowboarders that year was about 7.56 million (Gough). They may squabble on the hill, but they come from every background and share similar passions for their respective winter sports. However, if skiing and snowboarding aren’t quite your speed, that’s okay too! You don’t have to sit the winter out. There are plenty of other options for cold weather play.
We’ll start with the obvious. Downhill skiing is by far the most popular winter sport in the United States (Gough). If you’ve never been, don’t fret; skiing is a sport you can learn at any age! People as young as three can be found on family-friendly slopes around the country participating in this 170-yearold pastime. Many ski resorts even offer professional instruction that allows the average adult to hit the slopes on their first day.
If you’re an 80s or 90s kid, you probably already have a soft spot in your heart for skateboarding. Given the opportunity, chances are you’d probably jump on the board and attempt to relive some of your glory days -- provided no one is watching. So here’s the good news: snowboarding is strikingly similar to skateboarding and even surfing. You can take all the same principals and apply them to this winter sport. No, we don’t expect you’ll be doing an Indy Grab off a jump on your first day, but if you can manage to find your core and balance on a board, you’ll feel less intimidated by this thrilling snow sport.
A good choice of winter sport for a large group, ice hockey only requires 6 players per team. And with artificial ice rinks popping up in more places, it’s never been easier to just rent your gear for a friendly pickup game. However, if you don’t have 12 people, there’s something to be said for gliding around in figure eights on a pair of skates. Skating is another kid-friendly winter sport, with some children donning fancy blades as young as three! Gough, Christina. “Winter Sports - Statistics & Facts.” Statista, Statista, 18 Oct. 2018, https://www.statista.com/topics/1770/winter-sports/.
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FEATURING: SEAL OF
Woodloch QUALITY
- 6 brand new frost-filled relays - 6 to 12 player co-op teams - Tournaments fit for 4 to 20+ teams - Commemorative victory medals - Snow not available year round!
Approved for
A COURSE IN EXCELLENCE
The Pocono Mountains course you’ve never heard of may be the best around...
UNPARALLELED GOLF
THE GOLF ACADEMY
Amidst a challenging mountainous backdrop, this course meanders its 18 championship style holes through 6,579 yards of fern-carpeted forest providing a unique playing experience darted with inspirational views. It’s also a challenge. Golf wouldn’t really be that special if it were easy right? The signature hole remains the 14th, a lengthy, challenging par five, which should be a six, that features a dramatic 220-yard carry across “Hells Gate Gorge.” It also has several elevation and route changes along its 577 u-shaped yards. However it is hole three which poses the most challenges with a 190 yard layup to the edge of a 45 foot drop off with a two-tier undulating green still 250 more yards away. Luckily, you’re rewarded with an arrow-straight, wide-green par three as your next stop.
In concert with the Woodloch Sports Complex, the Woodloch Golf Performance Academy will help any golfer explore and understand the athletic relationship between their golf bodies and their swing (just like the pros) while maximizing their swing’s efficiency, mental performance, equipment setup and golf fitness. The PGA and certified fitness instructors and biomechanics coaches assess your game, develop a custom practice program for you and unlock your potential as a player. Regardless of your goals or skill level, your team of coaches wants to help you understand and enjoy the game of golf to the fullest.
ITS STILL ABOUT FAMILY Home to one of US Kids Golf Top 50 Professionals, the course is designed for the avid golfer yet very accommodating to little beginners. With familyfriendly golf carts available, kids tees, an excellent line of kids equipment and apparel, the standout is the kids golf clinic which takes young learners on a fun and interactive golf journey.
TEE IT UP In 1989, the grand plans were set to expand the Woodloch footprint. Based on years of requests from guests, the need for a golf course was apparent. It was to be an extension of the Woodloch brand--quality facilities, unrivaled service, a sense of family, and a tradition of excellence. Rocky Roquemore, a prolific award-winning international course architect was chosen to sculpt the mountain links, and in three short years the course at Woodloch Springs was ready. The project was not exclusively to serve as an amenity of the resort, but to thrive as its own destination and ultimately as a private community.
TIME TO DINE There are two splendid dining options within steps of Woodloch Springs’ 18th hole: The Overlook Restaurant and The Grille Room. The Overlook has floor-toceiling windows that peer toward the scenic 18th hole. Treat yourself to a center cut eight-ounce filet mignon, lamb chops, or Icelandic cod after a particularly terrific round of Poconos golf. The Grille Room, utilizes the same farm-to-table menu, but the dining experience itself is more casual. The culinary team at Woodloch Springs also makes a delicious chicken cordon bleu sandwich, tuna poke salad, and weekend prime rib. And if you didn’t hear, after your round, your first beer is only a buck!
A COURSE IN EXCELLENCE
The Pocono Mountains course you’ve never heard of may be the best around...
UNPARALLELED GOLF
THE GOLF ACADEMY
Amidst a challenging mountainous backdrop, this course meanders its 18 championship style holes through 6,579 yards of fern-carpeted forest providing a unique playing experience darted with inspirational views. It’s also a challenge. Golf wouldn’t really be that special if it were easy right? The signature hole remains the 14th, a lengthy, challenging par five, which should be a six, that features a dramatic 220-yard carry across “Hells Gate Gorge.” It also has several elevation and route changes along its 577 u-shaped yards. However it is hole three which poses the most challenges with a 190 yard layup to the edge of a 45 foot drop off with a two-tier undulating green still 250 more yards away. Luckily, you’re rewarded with an arrow-straight, wide-green par three as your next stop.
In concert with the Woodloch Sports Complex, the Woodloch Golf Performance Academy will help any golfer explore and understand the athletic relationship between their golf bodies and their swing (just like the pros) while maximizing their swing’s efficiency, mental performance, equipment setup and golf fitness. The PGA and certified fitness instructors and biomechanics coaches assess your game, develop a custom practice program for you and unlock your potential as a player. Regardless of your goals or skill level, your team of coaches wants to help you understand and enjoy the game of golf to the fullest.
ITS STILL ABOUT FAMILY Home to one of US Kids Golf Top 50 Professionals, the course is designed for the avid golfer yet very accommodating to little beginners. With familyfriendly golf carts available, kids tees, an excellent line of kids equipment and apparel, the standout is the kids golf clinic which takes young learners on a fun and interactive golf journey.
TEE IT UP In 1989, the grand plans were set to expand the Woodloch footprint. Based on years of requests from guests, the need for a golf course was apparent. It was to be an extension of the Woodloch brand--quality facilities, unrivaled service, a sense of family, and a tradition of excellence. Rocky Roquemore, a prolific award-winning international course architect was chosen to sculpt the mountain links, and in three short years the course at Woodloch Springs was ready. The project was not exclusively to serve as an amenity of the resort, but to thrive as its own destination and ultimately as a private community.
TIME TO DINE There are two splendid dining options within steps of Woodloch Springs’ 18th hole: The Overlook Restaurant and The Grille Room. The Overlook has floor-toceiling windows that peer toward the scenic 18th hole. Treat yourself to a center cut eight-ounce filet mignon, lamb chops, or Icelandic cod after a particularly terrific round of Poconos golf. The Grille Room, utilizes the same farm-to-table menu, but the dining experience itself is more casual. The culinary team at Woodloch Springs also makes a delicious chicken cordon bleu sandwich, tuna poke salad, and weekend prime rib. And if you didn’t hear, after your round, your first beer is only a buck!
In 2017, the number of skiers in the United States totaled around 14.94 million, and the number of snowboarders that year was about 7.56 million (Gough). They may squabble on the hill, but they come from every background and share similar passions for their respective winter sports. However, if skiing and snowboarding aren’t quite your speed, that’s okay too! You don’t have to sit the winter out. There are plenty of other options for cold weather play.
We’ll start with the obvious. Downhill skiing is by far the most popular winter sport in the United States (Gough). If you’ve never been, don’t fret; skiing is a sport you can learn at any age! People as young as three can be found on family-friendly slopes around the country participating in this 170-yearold pastime. Many ski resorts even offer professional instruction that allows the average adult to hit the slopes on their first day.
If you’re an 80s or 90s kid, you probably already have a soft spot in your heart for skateboarding. Given the opportunity, chances are you’d probably jump on the board and attempt to relive some of your glory days -- provided no one is watching. So here’s the good news: snowboarding is strikingly similar to skateboarding and even surfing. You can take all the same principals and apply them to this winter sport. No, we don’t expect you’ll be doing an Indy Grab off a jump on your first day, but if you can manage to find your core and balance on a board, you’ll feel less intimidated by this thrilling snow sport.
A good choice of winter sport for a large group, ice hockey only requires 6 players per team. And with artificial ice rinks popping up in more places, it’s never been easier to just rent your gear for a friendly pickup game. However, if you don’t have 12 people, there’s something to be said for gliding around in figure eights on a pair of skates. Skating is another kid-friendly winter sport, with some children donning fancy blades as young as three! Gough, Christina. “Winter Sports - Statistics & Facts.” Statista, Statista, 18 Oct. 2018, https://www.statista.com/topics/1770/winter-sports/.
R E P U S S ’ T R O S E R H C O L D WOO ries e s p
S C I P M Y L O R E T WIN shi
team
ing uild
ion amp
ch
b
FEATURING: SEAL OF
Woodloch QUALITY
- 6 brand new frost-filled relays - 6 to 12 player co-op teams - Tournaments fit for 4 to 20+ teams - Commemorative victory medals - Snow not available year round!
Approved for
“ZONE OUT”
In both the office and the home, you’re going to find times when the noise is so irritatingly loud that you won’t be able to hear yourself think. This is just about the worst situation you can be in. If you’re willing and able to, pack up the laptop or tablet and relocate to a more peaceful location; it makes all the difference. If you’re not blessed with that sort of mobility, invest in a nice pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Whether you tune in to white noise, Whitesnake, or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a little bit of sound will drown the distractions out quite nicely. Watch your productivity blossom.
DOn’t be a hero
You might be thinking, “I can do it all. There’s a way to balance everything without missing a beat anywhere.” You’d be wrong. It might feel like we can manage things for a bit, but sooner or later, something has to give. The point is, even Superman had the Justice League to step in and give him a hand. You have your coworkers, family and friends there to cover your back. When you need help with things, ASK THEM! You’ll find that if love is in their heart (or, the boss is in the loop), others will step in and give you a hand with tasks when need be. That way, the job is wrapped up in a timely fashion and we can move on to things we really want to make time for. Which brings us to our next point...
It’s like sledding, only way cooler. Ditch your little plastic saucer and itty-bitty sloped driveway, and trade them for an inner tube and a killer hill on the side of a mountain. You’ll find this snow sport at resorts or ski hills throughout most of the Northern United States. Up to 1,300 foot runs are designed to get you and your tube down to the bottom as swiftly and thrillingly as possible, with ramps and vertical drops along the way. Don’t quite classify yourself as a thrill-seeker? That’s okay! Less adventurous adults and small children can usually find a tamer version of these tube runs at the same location.
Really just in it for the view? Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy the winter months at a slower pace, but don’t let a scenic walk over a blanket of fresh snow fool you. There’s still a certain level of dexterity needed for this activity as your steps must be large and purposeful enough to make headway in sometimes rough conditions. A common suggestion when choosing a snowshoe destination is to try cutting your normal hiking trail length in half and start there. No more spending your winters wistfully watching the snow fall. Get out and try something new!
TAKE A BREAK
I feel like I’ve been picking a bit on workaholics- maybe that’s true. There are actually people in the world who LOVE to work. And that’s cool. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that pushing yourself too hard for too long can have adverse effects on both your physical and psychological health. Not to mention the rule of diminishing returns- eventually, your efforts won’t be worth your payout. When that happens, it’s time to take a break. Maybe 15 minutes. Maybe a day off. And best of all, a vacation getaway. Leave the phone, iPad, and laptops powered off and spend some quality time with those you love even if it’s just YOU. If all goes well, you’ll return to the job you love oh-so-much rested, refreshed and ready to bring your work game to the next level.
OR... JUST LISTEN TO THE PROS
The good news is, we aren’t the world’s first leading authority of work/life balance. But luckily for us, there are hundreds of books, blogs, and motivational speakers that can further help you realize and achieve your goal of balancing it all. Authors like Stephen Covey, David Allen, Seth Godin and Laura Vanderkam all have terrific books covering this very subject matter. Buying a $15 book seems like a small investment for something that can reap huge dividends in your life. Have very little time to read? Most of these are available on Audiobook for the commute to and from work!
How to Increase Your Productivity Staying constantly focused at work can be a challenge. At the end of the day sometimes we are disappointed by how little we have accomplished. You find yourself becoming distracted, focusing on l low-priority tasks, or simply just procrastinating. Productivity is a combination of effort and smart planning. To optimize our time, we have to create a list of priorities we need to accomplish. Not every technique for improving productivity is going to work for you, but here are some that can make all the difference in your work day if you adapt them to your style and personality.
KEEP FIRST THINGS FIRST
In other words… “prioritize.” That’s a nice little clutch word that very few of us truly know the meaning of. Author Stephen Covey once had a popular analogy with rocks, pebbles and sand in jars. The long and short of it is that without putting the bigger rocks in first- life’s proverbial “Big Things”- they simply wouldn’t fit if life’s “little things” were there first. In both work and home life, take a moment (or maybe a day, or week or whatever you need) and find out what your true priorities in life are. That’s the first step to making it all work.
Multitask in Moderation Multitasking does not necessarily mean you are getting more done at once. Usually it means you are getting things accomplished but not at your full potential. We all have a limited amount of cognitive bandwidth, meaning there is only so much your mind can hold at one time. Multitasking is only making your brain work harder (not smarter). More mistakes are made while multitasking, and it can also diminish creativity due to lack of focus. Innovative thinking arises when we allow our brains to follow a logical pathway for an extended period. Because the brain functions similar to a muscle, it becomes stronger with use¹. Therefore, training your brain to focus on one thing, even if it’s only for five minutes, may increase both your productivity and creativity.
SET GOALS
A wise man once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” He was right. Everything in life will be just a tad clearer when you create goals for yourself, short term and long term. Want to have your article done and ready for proofing by day’s end? GOOD, stick to that goal! As your day rolls at you, stay on target the best you can and push yourself to get that objective accomplished, even if it means letting more trivial matters slide. Completing these tasks on schedule will not only give you a boost of confidence but will encourage you to keep setting goals going forward. Speaking of which…
Remove Temptation We live in a world full of clutter and distractions. Open your phone to respond to a text, and 10 minutes later, you may find yourself on your first grade teacher’s Facebook page. In the United States, over 12.2 billion collective hours are being spent browsing on social media networks everyday². Actively resisting the urge to check up on social media can greatly increase your productivity and free up a lot of time that you didn’t even realize you were wasting. Put your phone away and silence your notifi cations. If you are still distracted, try taking a brief, three-minute walk to refresh. Also, the tendency to become dis-tracted is human nature; do not beat yourself up over it. The more you exercise your prefrontal cortex (the more evolved part of our brains), the more it becomes easier to focus¹.
ELIMINATE “TIME WASTERS”
There’s nothing worse than a complete and utter waste of time. Seconds turn to minutes, minutes become hours, hours become days… you get the picture. The best thing we can do (once we are able to identify these activities, events, and yes even PEOPLE) is to break ties with them and move on with our lives. We can do it nicely and with class, but for the love of Pete, please refrain from wasting your precious time with these sorts of entities!
DRAW A LINE...
This one’s a biggie. There’s something going down on the job. There’s a big important event happening in your personal life. YOU need to make a call; which of these becomes your priority? It all depends, but in grudge matches such as this, I will almost always air to the family / home life event. Family is forever. As much as it might hurt for any of us to admit, if we died tomorrow, there’s a very good chance the job posting for your vacant position would be posted well before your obituary. Kids are only young for so long, and time with family and friends should be treasured as tomorrow is never promised. I’m talking “Cats in the Cradle” stuff here, folks. Don’t regret.
Be Accountable
BALANCE
To combat procrastination, set a goal for yourself at the beginning of everyday and hold yourself accountable to it. To-do lists are a great way to keep yourself on track, and they are a great visual tool to see what you have to complete. When you manually cross each of the tasks off the list, it gives you a sense of motivation and relief. It’s also a great record to keep to show what you have accomplished in an annual or biannual review. At the end of each day, get into the habit of drafting the next day’s to-do list. This will allow you to mentally plan for what’s in store the following day.
Cheats, hacks, and good ol’ common sense to help you make it all somehow work.
All things considered, I’ve had but a few regrets in life. One of them was not discovering the music of folk troubadour Jim Croce until I was in my late 20’s.
Learn to Cope with Stress Stress is inevitable, and there is always another source of it right around the corner. Finding a method that works for you to cope with stress can allow you to convert that stress into motivation. Before you get yourself freaked out, reason with yourself, go through the logistics, and take a new perspective. Remember, some things are out of your control and it is something we all have to accept. Having an outlet to use when you feel overwhelmed will help keep your mind right. Sometimes it’s just a matter of having a few quiet moments to yourself to meditate, do yoga or journal. Sometimes you need to take that kick boxing class or evening run. Most importantly find out what works for you. Coping with stress is tricky, but it can also greatly increase your productivity once you find a plan customized for you.
Take the lyrics of “Time in a Bottle.” Croce simply states that “there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them.” The stars that shine the brightest burn twice as fast- Jim was a prophet of truth. Time is the one thing that no matter how rich you are, you’ll never be able to get enough of. In fact, one might even argue that the tradeoff for acquiring more wealth is exchanging your precious time straight up. Unless you were born truly independently wealthy and have a team of trusted professionals managing your fortune, most of us simply have to work. So the million dollar question really is: how do we balance work and life perfectly? How do we juggle the things we want to do with the things we have to do and still feel alright about it all at the end of the day? There’s no true concrete answer to this conundrum, but there are things we can do to try to stabilize it all.
Move More & Take Breaks Recently scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana reviewed the lifestyle of 17,000 men and women over the duration of 13 years. The scientists found that 54% of those people are more likely to die of heart attacks; the reason was because they were sitting most of the day². It is no secret that sitting at a desk for an extended period of time is bad for your health, and working continuously for that time does not mean you are accomplishing more. Sometimes the best way to get something done is to take a step back. Standing and moving around improves blood flow to the brain, which enhances cognition¹. Other times taking a step back is not enough, taking a long break from a project could allow you to cultivate new ideas and a fresh perspective. Even sleep could be the ideal “break” to take. Our productivity and creativity skills need rest too, this is why we often come up with the best ideas in the morning shower!
Resources: 1. https://www.nytimes.com/guides/business/how-toimprove-your-productivity-at-work 2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/04/24/12-tips-for-increasing-productivity/#3983a0a046de
The Power of Thinking Outside the Office
TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS
Remember when you used to tell your parents that you felt sick in hopes they would let you miss school and then they would respond with the dreaded ‘“go get some fresh air”? Well, whether you would like to admit it or not, they were onto something.
3) Don’t forget the importance of food and beverage in the staying healthy equation! It’s easy to go overboard and indulge while traveling. But just because you’re away from your normal routine, doesn’t mean it’s an excuse to go wild. Look at food the same way as exercise; this is the perfect time to try something new! Delicious fruits and vegetables abound in warm locales. Destinations with year-round warm temperatures are a popular choice for meetings, and these same places are lucky enough to have year-round growing seasons. The avocado you have in California is guaranteed to be as flavorful as the local grass fed beed you’ll have when you travel to Pennsylvania. And if you’ll be dining out for client meetings, research restaurant menus online beforehand so that you have an idea of healthy items to choose.
A recent study entitled the “2019 Wellness in Meetings and Incentive Travel Study,” conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation, found that less than 10 percent of planners consider meetings and events to be “very healthy.” While most respondents reported that their Many of us can relate to that feeling of being in a rut at work, whether it’s a creative block or a bit of stir craziness from companies agree upon the importance of the fluorescent lighting. There are now studies that show a direct correlation between connecting yourself with nature wellness in business travel, they disagree upon and higher work productivity. Companies like Google, L.L. Bean, and LinkedIn are now creating outdoor workspaces its implementation. Planners were most vocalrather because of this impact. By simply changing the air, temperature, and scenery, it gives staff fresh inspiration about the isissue of proven budgetary constraints, with it or than being stuck in a stagnant office. Being surrounded by nature not only to reduce stress, but believe aroundlonger³. 40% stating that increasing budget would not, people actually tend to work harder and can concentrate It reduces mental fatigue and improves physical 4 . So in other words, and mental health¹. Taking a nature walk boosts creativity and problem solving skills by 60% only make meetings “somewhat healthier.” we
4) Recognize the importance of sleep! One of the best business travel tips is to stay rested. Sleep plays a paramount role in helping you feel productive and engaged. Consider bringing a sleep mask and earplugs and using a white noise app, which can help aid in the sleep process despite changes in time zone and routine. As tempting as late-night cocktails may be, it’s best to skip them when possible, and try to take advantage of any rest periods between sessions.
As humans we are designed to have a connection to nature and other living things, this phenomenon is called biophilia². This helps explain why we crave a seat with a window when working or enjoying dinner. It also helps explain that feeling of bliss we get when we step outside to a nice breezy and sunny day. Many of the countless benefits of spending time outdoors can also directly boost work quality and satisfaction. For example, walking among trees is shown to 4 . increase memory byon 20%, being freshplan air for 20 minutes to a cuptoofmind coffeewhen It is safeshort-term to say that staying a fiand tness andindiet is usually notprovides the firstenergy thing equal that comes
When you return from your trip, make a commitment to incorporate some of these small changes into your weekly routine. You will be well on your way to establishing healthy habits and an active lifestyle while also improving your performance at work and at home!
thrive in nature.
people think of business travel. The combination of harried schedules, calorie-laden meals, and unfamiliar By simply scheduling time in your day to get fresh air, you may make a significant impact to your health and wellbeing. surroundings can serve as a major challenge while trying to stay healthy. That doesn’t mean all hope is Casual meetings or phone calls can be scheduled outside in fresh air, you may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. lost! Below, provide we’ve compiled some tipssetting that will help you stay focused on your wellness goals during your The outdoors a more comfortable for conversation, where you might find more things will get accomnext work trip: plished. Also, interviews can be conducted outside of the office, you might find that you will be able to see more of the interviewee’s authentic self this way.
1) The best, easiest, and most obvious way to stay fit on vacation is to incorporate exercise into your day. Most business hotels now provide complimentary fitness centers. When you’re exploring a new place, skip the car/ bus/train and do it on foot (or bike). Meeting planners are also putting increased focus on pre-meeting exercise sessions, such as group hikes or yoga, or even walking meetings! 2) Breakout sessions have also been gaining in popularity. Unfamiliar environments, long days, and travel stress can disrupt one’s ability to focus. Providing meeting attendees with wellness rooms or quiet spaces to practice meditation and mindfulness can be a big help in keeping attendees present and relaxed.
TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS
3) Don’t forget the importance of food and beverage in Because we don’t all live in a consistently sunny climate and most of us don’t have the resources to create a the staying healthy aequation! It’s easy go overboard biophilic workspace, viable solution is tototake a weekend retreat to a place like Woodloch Resort. Woodloch and indulge traveling. becauseyou you’re offers variouswhile activities thatBut willjust reconnect withaway nature and allow you to immerse yourself in fresh air. from your normal doesn’tmood, meangoodwill, it’s an excuse to which are all things most offices wouldn’t mind Studies show that routine, nature boosts and trust, 4 . having more of go wild. Look at food the same way as exercise; this is the perfect time to try something new! Delicious fruits “Forest Bathing” is anotherinalternative to a biophilic workspace that provides many benefits to the mind and and vegetables abound warm locales. Destinations body, and allows oneself to connect senses with nature. The sound of the forest, birds chirping, sunlight with year-round warm temperatures are a popular choice peeking through the trees, and fresh air allows for a particular comfort and ease to the mind. According to meetings, and by these places are lucky enough afor study sponsored the same Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 93% of their time 5 to have. year-round growing The avocado The best part about seasons. forest bathing is that it’syou free, all you have to do is step outside. Find a park or indoors have in California is guaranteed to be avorful as just sit and meditate for a few moments. nature-rich enviroment where you can takeasa flwalk or even the local grass fed beed you’ll have when you travel to Pennsylvania. And if you’ll be dining out for client meetings, research restaurant menus online beforehand so that you have an idea of healthy items to choose.
A recent study entitled the “2019 Wellness in Meetings and Incentive Travel Study,” conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation, found that less than 10 percent of planners consider meetings and events to be “very healthy.” While most respondents reported that their companies agree upon the importance of wellness in business travel, they disagree upon its implementation. Planners were most vocal about the issue of budgetary constraints, with around 40% stating that increasing budget would only make meetings “somewhat healthier.”
It is safe to say that staying on a fitness and diet plan is usually not the first thing that comes to mind when people think of business travel. The combination of harried schedules, calorie-laden meals, and unfamiliar surroundings can serve as a major challenge while trying to stay healthy. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost! Below, we’ve compiled some tips that will help you stay focused on your wellness goals during your next work trip:
4) Recognize the importance of sleep! One of the best business travel tips is to stay rested. Sleep plays a paramount role in helping you feel productive and engaged. Consider bringing a sleep mask and earplugs and using a white noise app, which can help aid in the sleep process despite changes in time zone and routine. As tempting as late-night cocktails may be, it’s best to skip them when possible, and try to take advantage of any rest periods between sessions. you return frombuilding your trip, makeWhile a commitment to Another great outdoor option for your office isWhen participating in team activities. team building incorporate of these smallin changes intoofyour weekly is in and of itself beneficial in creativing cohesion betweensome employees, adding the element nature can routine. Yougenerally will be well on your way to establishing healthy boost morale as stated earlier. The bottom line is that people are healthier, happier and more productive when they are connected to nature. It’s really just a win, win situation. So do not hesitate to habits and an active lifestyle while also improving take your your work outside! performance at work and at home! Resources: 1. 2. 3. 4.
1) The best, easiest, and most obvious way to stay fit on vacation is to incorporate exercise into your day. Most business hotels now provide complimentary fitness centers. When you’re exploring a new place, skip the car/ bus/train and do it on foot (or bike). Meeting planners are also putting increased focus on pre-meeting exercise sessions, such as group hikes or yoga, or even walking meetings! 2) Breakout sessions have also been gaining in popularity. Unfamiliar environments, long days, and travel stress can disrupt one’s ability to focus. Providing meeting attendees with wellness rooms or quiet spaces to practice meditation and mindfulness can be a big help in keeping attendees present and relaxed.
5.
https://socialmediaweek.org/blog/2015/05/need-start-taking-work-outdoors/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/06/25/5-data-backed-ways-working-outdoors-can-improve-employee-well-being/#487727e44eb8 https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/06/28/l-l-bean-promotes-office-spaces-working-outdoors/732495002/ https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/benefits-of-working-outdoors https://www.nature.com/articles/7500165
ISSUE THREE
Together is the best place to be! WOODLOCH MEETINGS DIARY “I can’t say enough great things about my experience with Woodloch. Each year, our company plans an annual retreat to escape the day-to-day for a few days and enjoy activities and bond with our colleagues. ” -Erin, SeatGeek
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