As a Pearl River, New York resident, Lukas Politis is no stranger to spending time outdoors. With easy access to natural beauty like Harriman State Park, Lukas Politis has always had a passion for connecting his hobbies and appreciation for nature. Currently, Lukas Politis majors in Media and Strategic Communications with a Broadcasting, Digital Media and Production Concentration. Aiming to strengthen his skillset, Lukas Politis has worked in various industries and spent countless hours volunteering. Bringing a ‘go with the flow’ mentality to everything he does, Lukas Politis hopes to share his love and passion for finding peace and fulfillment through connecting with nature. From fishing to mountain biking and canoeing, Lukas Politis believes that in order to be a successful entrepreneur you need to connect to the most natural part of yourself.
What does a typical day consist of for you?
A typical day always starts with exercise before putting my head down and getting to work, I have to get my body moving and my mind aligned. The importance of doing this is crucial and aids in providing me with focus throughout the day. Whether I am working, volunteering or learning, physical activity is the catalyst that makes laser focus possible. I then nourish my body either with a nutrient-rich smoothie or with a light breakfast. I then get right into work. Once the day is over, I come home and spend time nourishing my personal interests. From spending time with friends, to reading or learning a new skill, I deeply value this time to reconnect with what matters.
How do you motivate others?
I believe in positive reinforcement. Different tactics work for different people, but I think that most people respond well to this tactic. Of course, this doesn’t mean ignoring areas that need improvement, but ingraining the belief that they can and will achieve the results they want if they put their mind to it. Showing people through positive reinforcement that they can adopt a new narrative is very important.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I have a firm belief that we can learn and get inspiration through nature and outdoor activities. Whenever I’m in need of insight I get ideas while shooting hoops, biking or fishing.
Who has been a role model to you and why?
Cal Newport is an author who has been very critical of our reliance and addiction to social media and other digital applications. Outlining how to perform productive, valuable and meaningful work in an increasingly distracted digital age, I think Cal Newport is tapping into something very important. Of course, as a passionate advocate for media and strategic communications, I believe that there is some nuance to his theories, but as someone who values the peace and quiet of being immersed in nature, I find them highly valuable. Most people would benefit greatly from re-evaluating the balance between the physical and digital world, creating definitive parameters and rules for when you engage with them.
What traits do you possess that make a successful leader?
Patience. In a productivity-driven society, patience is considered a negative quality. We are taught to hustle hard and fast, but I don’t think that that is sustainable. I am a patient leader both with my strategies and tactics as well as how I deal with people. I don’t place my expectations on others, and believe that everyone moves at their own pace. I am patient in my acknowledgement of other people’s strengths and weaknesses and work with them to achieve their goals in a way that makes sense for them.
What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?
“Go with the flow”. I have learned throughout my life that a lot of pain and frustration occurs when we resist what is. This is in line with Stoic philosophy. We should focus solely on what we can control and let go of everything that we can’t. From education to business, the ability to be fluid in any situation is fundamental to living a happy life. .
What’s one piece of advice you would give to others?
Focus on solutions, not on problems. Too often I see colleagues becoming hyper-focused on problems and roadblocks instead of thinking about the opportunities that are available. A big part of this relates to going with the flow and not engaging in the negativity of problems, but the optimism of problem solving. From relationships to entrepreneurship the ability to shift your focus towards solutions and thinking outside of the box will be crucial to living a fulfilled life.
Outside of work, what defines you as a person?
I love leisure activities outdoors. From fishing to mountain biking, there is something uniquely fulfilling about using the natural world as your playground. As most of us now live in busy urban or suburban neighbourhoods, it has become increasingly difficult to connect to this aspect of ourselves. I believe that this connection to nature is something that defines me as a person. Whether you are reaching the top of a mountain or catching a fish, all of these activities are wholly fulfilling. The way I view it being connected to nature through these activities balances out the fast-paced focus of everyday life.