Merry Christmas: Now Take a Break!

I must confess: I’m having a hard time wrapping it up today.

You see, after today I’m taking a 3-day break from my labors, one of the few times in a year I put my work to the side for more than one day. It isn’t because I’m addicted to my work, rather my work is constant and affords me little time to take off. Unless I don’t want to earn money!

This year I planned it so that I would have three days off for Christmas, given that the holiday is on a Sunday and the following day is a legal holiday. Who wants to work when everyone you know will be celebrating?

Today is “finish up” day and I’m tying together all of my loose ends before I log off. Early this morning, well before sunrise, I found myself awake and once I was ready to write I wrote five articles. The writing muse within me took over and I was able to come up with five original stories, source my information, complete my edits and upload each article. That allowed me to finish next week’s assignments for a client days in advance and turn my attention to the loose ends.

Ah, but I also chose to work out of the home today, thinking that the distraction of having my wife and children nearby would make it difficult to work. Nada.

At the cafe I like to call home at least once a week, it is quiet with few people coming and going. Still, I managed to strike up a conversation with someone I hadn’t seen in months and thus began my downward spiral into my “I can’t wait to hang it up for Christmas,” mood.

So, I decided to take a break and write this article, one I have been mulling around in my head for the past few days. Besides wishing you a “Merry Christmas,” I wanted to simply encourage you to take a break too.

If you can’t put your work to the side for more than a day or two, then take smaller breaks and work part of the day and simply goof off the rest of the day. Visit family. Entertain friends. Take in a movie. Go bowling. Relax.

When I do come back to work on Tuesday, it will be only for half days for the rest of the week. My advanced planning has given me that luxury and I know my family will be glad to see more of me and I, them. Come Jan. 2 I expect to be back working at my fevered pace, but maybe with the knowledge that my R&R did me much good.

It’ll do you good too. Your work can probably wait and your clients may have long scattered to their vacation destinations, giving little thought to pending projects, deadlines and a host of other “things to do” that are part of our daily schedule.

Meanwhile, I’m returning to my last article and expect to have it done well before my self-imposed 6 p.m. deadline. Merry Christmas!

Europe’s Money Troubles Mean Opportunity For You

Choosing to “beat feet” might cost you plenty next year.

Much of 2011 has been devoted to the emerging financial crisis embroiling Europe. Whether you’ve been following these events in detail or only have a passing knowledge of what is going on across the continent, you’re likely sensing that something will come to pass in 2012. Your feelings that it can’t possibly be good are correct. Then again, Europe’s financial woes mean that some people will ride the wave, even thrive.

How you navigate the European economic tsunami will depend largely on how you react to these and other challenges. You might ask, “How can you possibly see opportunity where others only see gloom and doom?” From my personal experience, that’s where.

Recent Experience

Allow me to share with you a story. In early 2008, before the economy nose-dived, there were signs that rocky days were just ahead. One client was so concerned with what was coming down that he warned me that he might have to pursue another approach to business when the worst eventually transpired. That meant I would likely lose his business or at least a big part of it.

Instead of panicking, this client and I discussed ways to ride out the storm, determining that by staying the course we would be okay. Not in perfect shape and certainly not unmolested by the events of those days, but the smarter for it. We rightly determined that others would overreact and pull back just as we continued our advance. Certainly strategies were overhauled and a new approach was taken.

Our approach was proven right — to this day my client is faring quite well. I’ve also managed to retain other clients by sharing a similar perspective on how to stay focused.

Looking Ahead

Undoubtably, Europe’s financial problems threaten to pull down economies across the world, perhaps making the most recent recession look comparatively mild. I’ve followed some of the possible scenarios and the forecasts are as follows: not good, quite bad and most definitely ugly. Were Sergio Leone still alive, I think he would be proud!

Yet, few of us can afford to wait on the sidelines as Europe and the rest of the world get their acts together. You have to make a living. You must eat. Your children need to be clothed and educated. In other words, much of the demands of today will continue. Why be reactive like everyone else? Why not take action?

Your Approach

Those action steps are not something I can outline for you. I don’t know you well enough. I can’t get into your mind to find out what your hopes and dreams are. Playing it too conservative will mean that you’ll lose out on opportunity. Taking a very liberal approach may prove to be a folly. You’ll have to find your balance and stick with it — making adjustments on the fly and hoping for the best. To stay on the sidelines, however, means you’ll lose.

On a personal note, I can tell you that I’m much more flexible to making change then I have been before. I cannot go into detail here, but I’m open to considering whatever possibilities are out there including taking a radical approach to how I do business.

Is it scary? Sometimes it is. My personal trust in God is what sees me through all of this. I can encourage you to do likewise, but I cannot make you do what you don’t want to do. In any event, I think whatever faith we have will be sorely tested in the coming months with some of our colleagues despairing of hope as the worst of the crisis unfolds. Where will you be in all of this?

Photo: Pedja Mi