What business are you in?
Take out a sheet of paper and at the top of the page, write: “The parts of my “business” (and we’re thinking about the ‘business of your life’) that I want to continue to invest in.”
You might write down someone’s name, some activity in which you engage, some portion of your job, a particular committee on which you serve, a goal that you have for yourself…whatever fits for you. Take some time to do so now. I’ll be here – well, the article will be – when you return.
Take another sheet of paper (or open a new document) and label it: “The parts of my “business” where I need to cut my losses.”
Let’s just say that you have been “bonked” on the head (AKA rammed your head into a wall, been hit up the side of the head, etc.) enough times to realize that this is a lost cause and you need to move on. So, write down what you need to let go and learn from. It may be harder than the first half of the page, particularly if you’re honest, which I’m sure you are. It’s possible that there are one or more relationships that aren’t yielding any ‘growth’ or benefit, endeavors that are going nowhere, groups to which you belong that never get anything done, projects around the house that it’s time to let go of….you get the idea. Take some time now to think this through for yourself.
In the business of our life, just like in any other viable business, we need to take stock of what is profitable and what isn’t. Based on what we determine, we then need to take steps to prune away what isn’t in the best interests of the ‘business.’ It’s not easy to do this in a company and it’s not easy to do this within your own life.
It is smart, however, particularly if you want to succeed. Let’s close with one of my favorite definitions of success from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!
Ahhhh…delightful…
About Meggin McIntosh
Meggin founded Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., a company that changes what people know, feel, dream, and do through workshops, consulting, and publications. She is the productivity queen, who shares her knowledge on how best to become peacefully productive. If you want to become more strategic, optimize your productivity, and just generally create a fabulous life, then Meggin’s website is a place you can find solutions and options worth exploring. You can also sign up for her Top Ten Productivity Tips to receive regular emails with tips on how to become more productive. You can also contact Meggin directly by email at http://www.meggin.com/
