MM: Being sick …

There was a positive, though, that came out of spending several days in bed feeling terrible. And, no I'm not referring to my amazing wife, Christine, taking the trash out or anything like that. No, I actually had numerous periods where I was able to reflect. On my life, my marriage, kids, parents, friends, my business and on an array of more philosophical topics. I actually thought about some really worthless things too - like why broccoli looks like little trees. But, many of the areas of my life I spent significant time pondering during that illness became resolutions I strived to enact. I ended up realizing some important truths and the merit of ideas I had been considering.

Since then, I have put into action several of the things I resolved to begin. And, I have to say, the results have been very, very good. So, what does all this mean to you?

This: Stop and spend time with yourself and your thoughts. You'll be amazed.

Our culture today is so busy. Work harder, work more, run here, run there, chase this, get ahead. In your business, it looks like get to the office earlier, respond immediately to emails, tackle the projects on your plate, cross things off the to-do list, prospect for new business, meetings, calls, manage your team, manage your clients expectations, deliver, succeed. Or maybe yours is get up earlier, cook breakfast, take kids to school, go to work, pick up kids, do homework, take kids to basketball, take another kid to gymnastics, cook dinner, laundry, dishes, try to squeeze in a workout when I'm exhausted. Sound familiar? Maybe your's is a combination of the three. I get it. I was there ... for years. That's what our culture has become. You're so busy working IN your business or busy living IN your day-to-day life, there's no room for anything else. Days turn into weeks turn into months turn into years and you wonder if you're really getting anywhere.

I'm telling you a truth that isn't new and it's not the first time you've heard it. You need to STOP. Unplug. Get away from work and from life to the fullest extent you can for whatever period of time you can. An hour, even, can be a big benefit to you. Give yourself as much time as you can to let yourself think. Think about whatever is pressing on you. Think about your life, your business, your relationships - whatever comes to you. Give yourself the freedom to look at those things in different ways and acknowledge that there may be better ways.

In my experience, we all are in that daily routine rut at times. Break it. Schedule time to be able to focus on the big things and the big picture. I promise you will be amazed at how your life and your business will change for the better.

If not, well you probably spent too much time thinking about broccoli.