I went climbing

I started rock climbing in January. Not for networking. Not for "balance." Just because I wanted something that had nothing to do with building.

It turned out to be the best product decision I've made all year.

Not because I met someone who helped me. Not because I had a great idea while climbing. But because for two hours, three times a week, I completely stop thinking about my product. I can't check my phone. I can't refresh analytics. I can't spiral about churn. I'm just trying to not fall off a wall.

When I come back to my desk, I'm different. Less frantic. More clear. Problems that felt impossible at 9am sometimes solve themselves by 9pm, not because I worked harder, but because I stopped working at all for a while.

I spent years thinking the answer was more hours, more focus, more grinding. It wasn't. The answer was less. But I couldn't get to less until I had something else to do.

Do you have something in your life that has nothing to do with your product? And did it change how you work, or is that just me?