I love gadgets. They surround me everywhere – in the office, in the car, at home. I’m always connected … except when I go completely off the grid.

Twice a year I unplug for 2-3 weeks. I turn off my data. I don’t reply to email. I stay off social media. I take a break from being an entrepreneur and focus on being a husband and a dad.

It’s during these weeks when I’m unplugged that I have an opportunity to reflect on the past challenges and think about future opportunities. Going off the grid gives me a sense of clarity and enables a freedom of thinking I can’t achieve when I’m constantly pulled in multiple digital directions.

Case in point: I recently spent three weeks in Asia with my family. While I’ve traveled throughout the region extensively for work, this was the first time I could experience cities like Taipei and Shanghai as a tourist. I got to enjoy a ride on the fastest train in the world, eat the most delicious food, and shop like the locals do. I observed, indulged and enjoyed without the need to constantly check my devices. And while I was technically off-the-grid and not working, my offline experiences provided me with inspirations I will take back to the office.   

Building a business is hard. Entrepreneurs have infinite to-do lists. They are constantly pushing ahead through one challenge to seize the next opportunity. While the line between work and personal life is becoming more blurry (especially when you’re scaling a startup), it’s critical that entrepreneurs carve time out of their hectic schedules and go offline. A digital detox – even for a short period of time – yields tremendous business and personal benefits.  

If you still have a summer vacation planned,  I challenge you to use your time to explore, discover and connect IRL.