过去两年我一直忙于工作，一边说服自己做得没错。但不可否认，围着公司连轴转的生活并不适合我。我有一份好工作，有个好上司，工作不乏味，薪酬也合理。可我知道自己需要改变，因为我相信生活方式是可以规划的，相信通过适合的系统、沟通和工作，我们可以获得想要的生活。

所以，我做了个大胆的计划：一年12个月里，每个月去全球各地参加重大活动。虽然当时还不知道得花多少钱，也不清楚要去哪儿，但回过头看那是我有生以来最棒的一个决定。

如今，作为《凌晨2点法则：探索冒险的科学》（The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure）一书作者、“影响者晚宴”（Influencers Dinner）活动的创办人，我定下了每年都外出旅行的目标。我曾纵身跃入南极洲的冰洋（差点冻死），也曾去美国内华达州欢度“火人节”，在黑石沙漠迷过路，还在西班牙的“奔牛节”上被一头公牛碾压。

旅行的美好之处不仅仅在于体验了哪些历险或者途中邂逅很棒的人，而是你在旅途期间变成怎样的人。旅行让我成为更优秀的企业家，因为我学到了重要的五课，都是我在办公室永远没机会学到的智慧。

1、你没那么重要。

创业之初，你可能需要事事亲历亲为，但只要有可能就应该想办法把工作交出去。

旅行时我注意到，即使没有我参与，公司的一些项目也能完成，不少问题也能顺利解决。虽然中途我时不时要接个电话或者回电邮，可大多数时候，只要我提前做好准备，告诉同事怎么做，基本都能运转顺利。

如果你愿意放权让他人自行解决问题，不总是大包大揽，就可以将更多时间用来思考战略问题，也有更多时间旅行和休息。

2、不是每件事都很重要。

明确哪些行为有助成功，值得投入时间，哪些只会费神却创造不了价值。有时完成某件事只会感觉良好，却可能是浪费精力。许多企业家都忽视了这点，慢慢养成为不必要的事操心的坏习惯。

3、度假能防止精神倦怠。

企业家就算凌晨2点还在回复电邮，也不意味着离成功近一步，只会适得其反。没有适当的休息，你做事的效率和创新能力都会大受影响，大脑享受工作的能力也会衰退。

人人都有极限。职业倦怠是真实存在的，而且确实会影响做决策的能力。照顾好自己，劳逸结合。

4、接纳新事物

接触不同的文化和观点可以催生创意、带来灵感。人们天生容易受到新奇事物的刺激。要是一直和熟悉的事物打交道，你的大脑就不会那么投入。新鲜多样的经历会让人开动脑筋并激发兴趣。

如果你想开拓交际圈，不妨做些有意思的事。旅行会让你拥有一些值得分享的经历和见解。不关出息什么社交场合或者会议，我都会备好几个故事，跟人建立关系很容易。

5、勇于突破，不安于现状。

这话听来是老生常谈，不过成长的唯一方法就是突破自我，不要安于现状。假如你害怕做某件事，但还不至于送命，就放手去干。

试试独自旅行。我曾经一个人游历法国尼斯，故意限制花费也不预定酒店，强迫自己迅速和当地人打交道。那次我遇到一些好心人收留我过夜。借此我也加深了对自己的了解。

不管你觉得多忙，需要做多少工作，挤出时间旅行、探险。旅行结束时，你会成为效率更高、精神更振奋的企业家。（财富中文网）

译者：Pessy

审校：夏林

行为学家乔恩·列维是“影响者晚宴”活动的创始人。他以研究人类影响、人际关系和冒险方面的作品闻名。在新作《凌晨2点法则：探索冒险的科学》中，他分享了一些生活哲学和经历，探讨如何让生活既有乐趣又精彩纷呈。

I sat at that desk for two years and tried to convince myself that I was in the right place. But, there was no denying that corporate life wasn’t right for me. I had a great job, a wonderful boss, interesting work, and fair pay. However, as a believer in lifestyle engineering — the idea that with the right systems, contacts, and work you can design the life you want — I knew that I needed to make a change.

So, I took on an audacious project: I’d go to the biggest events in the world every month for one year. I didn’t know how I’d pay for it or where I’d go, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Now, as author of The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure and founder of the Influencers Dinner, I make a commitment every year to travel. I’ve gone polar plunging in Antarctic waters (and nearly froze to death), gotten lost in Black Rock Desert during Burning Man and been crushed by a bull in Running of the Bulls.

The beauty of travel isn’t only the adventures you have or the wonderful people you meet but the person you become along the way. Travel made me a better entrepreneur, because I learned five critical lessons that I never would have in an office.

1. You’re not that important.

In the early stages of startups, you may need to pull up your sleeves and do the work yourself. But, as soon as it’s possible, start looking for tasks that you can outsource.

As I traveled, I noticed that projects would get done and problems would get solved without me. At times, I needed to jump on a call or answer an email. However, for the most part, if I planned ahead and showed people where to find the answers themselves, it was handled.

If you’re comfortable with not always getting credit, empower others to solve problems on their own. You’ll be able to dedicate more time to strategic functions, travel, and rest.

2. It’s not that important.

Identify which actions are leading to your success and deserve your time, versus those you are attached to but have no value. Checking off a task feels good, but it may be wasting your energy. This is where many entrepreneurs fall short, and as a result, they keep work habits long after they’re useful.

3. Vacations prevent burnout.

Answering emails at 2 a.m. isn’t making you a more successful entrepreneur. It is holding you back. Without proper sleep, productivity and creativity decrease dramatically. Our ability to gain enjoyment from the work we’re doing diminishes.

Everyone has limitations. Burnout is real, and it will affect your ability to make decisions. Take care of yourself and get some rest.

4. Embrace novelty.

Getting exposed to other cultures and ideas produces creativity and inspiration. We are hardwired to respond to novelty. If you continuously stay within the familiar, your brain finds it less engaging. Novel and diverse experiences boost brainpower and make you more interesting.

If you want to connect with people, do interesting things. Traveling gives you incredible stories and perspectives worth sharing. I always have a couple stories ready for any social occasion or meeting and, as a result, people engage with me more.

5. Get out of your comfort zone.

As cliche as it sounds, the only way to grow is to step outside of your comfort zone. If it is something that scares you but won’t kill you, do it.

Take a solo trip. I once intentionally visited Nice, France, with limited money and no place to stay in order to force myself to connect with people quickly. I met some great people who put me up for the night, and I learned more about myself.

No matter how busy you feel or what tasks you think you need to do, make the time to travel and explore. You’ll return a more refreshed and effective entrepreneur.