It's easy for me to forget about creating balance. I fill my diary with what seem to be 'important' activities, in pursuit of goals. Then also remind myself that happiness is not a pursuit - it's a way of being! So as we were sweltering in the London heat on Friday afternoon and Justine, our outstanding New Zealand Ops Manager asked, 'Want to come surfing?' I was in two minds: what I should do, as opposed to what I wanted to do.
The Daily Dilemma! Should versus want - which was to win? Playing on my ipod this week had been the absolutely essential 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
... to focus on renewal. [I love listening to this stuff on the tube - it's like having a portable Life Coach!] As Stephen observed, whilst the tube pulled out of Liverpool Street: "It takes a high level of proactivity and response-ability to choose re-creation over work". Using other parts of the mind and body refreshes the whole being - however I can forget I have 'choice', when I've been chunking through a long list of 'important' tasks and putting work before renewal - a typical entrepreneur's trap! So with my refreshed appreciation of the importance of re-creation, this weeks' cross-roads included:
- (A = want) Run in the lush evergreens in Victoria Park and watch the ducks and squirrels OR (B = should) add an extra early-morning hour at the computer in the morning? I chose (A)
- (A = should) Go to a networking event I'd booked the week before OR (B = want) Call to say I won't be attending and spend the evening with my brother? I chose (B)
- (A = want) Surf and sleep under the stars in summer fields of Devon OR (B = should) instal that new accounting software over the weekend? I chose (A)
Crystal clear decisions, really. I'm going to get really good at the habit of re-creation - frankly it's more fun and so am I when I follow my 'wants' and needs more often!
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