When was the last time you took a week away from your business? I mean really a week away. No phone calls. No emails. No worrying if the place would still be standing when you returned?
Let me get a little closer to home. When was the last time you were home for dinner at a reasonable hour with your mind clear just enjoying discussing the day with your spouse and kids? Somehow we’ve been convinced that there is some badge of honor to missing out on these things and one must devote 24/7 to work to be successful.
I once believed this. But as Bob Dylan sang, “things have changed.”
To succeed one must work hard and smart. However, to get the most out of your energy and creativity, to be a great problem solver, to be a great leader, one must also rest, relax, and enjoy. Afterall what are we working for?
How do we get there?
Goals
I’ve written about goal setting in the past. It is a key first step. What do you want to accomplish? What are you willing to give up to achieve these goals? You need goals for life, love, health, and work. All the areas of your life. If you ignore one it will cripple your ability to achieve the others.
Plan your day
Believe it or not you are in control of your day. If you choose to let others control your day, you are still in control as you decided either consciously or unconsciously to do so. So plan your day. Plan time for reflection on the previous day. Plan time to accomplish what you would like to accomplish for the day. Plan time for the unexpected. Plan time to learn. Plan time to implement ideas that will allow your business to run rather you are in the building or even in the Country.
Habits
Habits take about 30 days to become habits. Wake up at the same time everyday. Plan your meals ahead of time to maintain good nutritional habits and stay healthy. Exercise each day to keep your body strong. Read something to learn and/or motivate you each day. Some even wear the same type of outfit each day.
I’m not suggesting these are the right habits for you. You decide what works and what is important to you. These are some habits that highly successful people have used. One of their purposes is to free the mind of making minutia decisions and provide more space to make the more important decisions. Decide what habits will serve you best. Start with one. Upon success add another until you have built a series of habits that helps you feel that you are living your best life.
Develop your team
Lead by example. Be prepared. Be positive. Allow your managers and employees to make the right decisions at the right time in the right situation. By developing them, you are working yourself out of a position in the day to day running of the business. This will put you on the path to working on your business rather than working in your business. This sets you up to enjoy life more. This will allow you more time with your family and friends. It may also provide you creative time to focus on growth for the company. You can grow as large as you can imagine.
What do you want?
Wouldn’t it be great to go somewhere nice and chill with your family for a week a couple times a year? What about once every quarter? It’s your life, choose to make it your best life.
And, Happy Birthday to The U.S.A. 246 years young!
