Knox's Blog

Please back away from your emails and grab a plate – it’s that time of year again! We celebrate our awesome Inova family with picnics and other events all across the system. Believe me, I know how hard it is to step away from the multitude of tasks that need to be tackled. How can I enjoy a meal when I have 230 emails in my in-box and so many people need my help? Well, part of the help we need is for you to take a break and hang out with a few of your friends.

Once again I had the opportunity to visit with some friends at the System Office picnic, watch the henna tattoo artist create intricate designs, laugh as folks had their caricatures drawn and enjoy some fun and fellowship. Something magical happens when we step outside of our routine and spend a few moments sharing a laugh and a story or two. It’s good for our immune system, it’s good for our office relationships and it’s good for me to see such joyous camaraderie.

For those of you who had the time to attend and understand the importance of taking a break, thank-you for coming. For those of you who help plan, organize and work at these events, a double thank-you. For you workaholics who painfully tore yourselves away from your work and came (you know who I am talking to!), thank-you. And for those of you who couldn’t attend, I understand some things can’t be missed, but know that I missed you and your colleagues missed you. Please make it up to yourself and choose a beautiful spring day, grab a bite to eat and a best friend or two and have your own picnic outside. Take a deep breath and enjoy a well deserved break.

When’s the last time you enjoyed a picnic outside of work?  Any recommendations for picnic sites to check out?

What a fine day it was for a picnic! As you can see by the photos, many system folks came outside for a few hours of fun and fellowship. As I walked around chatting with people, I couldn’t help but think of the (in)famous Gallup question, “Do you have a best friend at work?” Whenever I’m able to break away from my routines and take a few moments to socialize with others, I always walk away uplifted.

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A friend of mine who has a very isolated office at one of our hospitals shared the same sentiment. She said that whenever she really needs a pick-me-up, she walks from one end of the campus and back again. By the time she returns, she’s typically chatted or at least exchanged “hellos” with ten or so people. She then returns to her desk feeling just a bit more connected and valued.

Quint Studer talks about “purpose, worthwhile work and making a difference,” and that organizations can create momentum for change by engaging the passion of everyone. I was reminded of the importance of taking a break and spending time with others as I enjoyed a bite to eat, watched folks cake walk, have caricatures drawn and chat up a storm with neighbors.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of our very busy lives we forget to take that moment to breathe and remember the importance of recharging our own batteries so we can better serve our community. Since we are the only ones who can manage our own morale, I encourage everyone to look for the opportunities in your facility to spend a few moments with your friends.