Messengers are everywhere. There are people who may give you warnings, messages, and lessons. Sometimes people appear in your life to remind you of the lessons you have learned. I often hear, “Well, that is just common sense.” If it is common sense why are we not doing it? If you are in business, are you in it for the long haul?…then you need to find the PAUSE button once in a while.

This past weekend, I was at one of our monthly Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) meetings and I had the pleasure of hearing Patricia Katz (www.patkatz.com) speak to our group. She was talking about business longevity and how you must not only hone your skills and know the basics of running a business but how you need to have your purpose right in front of you and know WHY you are doing what you are doing. She asked thought provoking questions like, “How do you want to be when you come home at the end of the day?” and “How do you wish to show up in the world?” You may even notice when you ask someone how are they doing as they are in the midst of running out the door – “Busy!” Hopefully they are busy doing what they love instead of a bunch of non-meaningful tasks that do not align with their goals and ambition.

Patricia provided an excellent example and learning opportunity for all of us to participate in. Do you remember what it was like to pump yourself up on the swings so you could reach a nice height and feel the breeze against your face? Imagine you are pumping really fast. Pump, pump, pump…faster, faster, and faster. Do you think you will go anywhere? Probably, no air time. Now try to pump and glide, pump and glide, pump and glide. See the difference. When you have the opportunity to PAUSE or take a break there is a time for renewal and the same is true for your business or your life. If you do not renew, you go no where fast and when you renew – you have a momentum and an ease to what you do. You are refreshed and you are able to continue and reach higher heights. You are better able to as Patricia says, “Bring who you are to all that you do.” 

How do you PAUSE & RENEW?

Here are 5 ways you are renew:

• Read a book 10-15 minutes before going to bed.
• Go for a 30 minute walk in the morning.
• Take a bubble bath.
• Listen to your favorite music.
• Paint or draw – allow your creativity to shine!

When you look after YOU, you are better able to serve others around you…so take time to PAUSE!