Is it time to re-charge your batteries?

Here are some great ideas to get re-focused and re-energized

I recently overheard some business owners discussing their work schedules. Here are a few of their comments: 

• “14 hour days are very challenging...”
• “I wish I could get my days down to 14 hours!”
• “6 day work weeks are no fun...”
• “The advantage of owning a business means you get to choose which 80 hours you work each week...”

In my opinion there was some obvious one upmanship involved here; at least I hope so...

The sad truth is I frequently meet business owners and executives that do work these hours and are proud of the fact. Many think it is their dutyor badge of honor. 

I have a different philosophy. I choose to be self-employed so that I can have more time for my family, friends and personal pursuits. I challenge you to take time in the next month and do at least one fun thing to rejuvenate yourself. Remind yourself why you are in business and what is really important. Get back to living your dream! Don’t know what to do? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Play golf - not grown up golf, Miniature Golf; just for the fun of it!
2. Play dress up - if you normally come to work in casual apparel, try dressing up. Or vice-versa
3. Reconnect with an old friend or acquaintance – not for business but because you might enjoy it.
4. Feed the monkeys – An old sales friend once told me that when things get boring or tense, “take the afternoon off, go to the zoo and feed the monkeys” It works!
5. Go to lunch – not one of your normal places. Find an old diner or truck stop and have a greasy burger, fries and a milk shake. Skip the coleslaw like you did when you were a kid!
6. Sleep in – hit the snooze button a second, third or 4th time. After all, you are the boss! If it’s raining, go to number 7.
7. Call in – Take an unplanned day off! Read a book and make it a Stephen King novel.
8. Surprise someone – do something totally unexpected for an employee, friend of your significant other.
9. Fly a kite – build your own like when you were a kid! Remember what that was like?

Make an appointment with youself today and start living your dream. After all, isn't that why you went into business in the first place?