Yes, some people can take off from their business, and you hear nothing from them. I am not such a person, lol.
Although I am on a much-needed break, I would never leave without providing some communication from me, even if it is prescheduled. I care about you and your success. And, this Monday, it is imperative that I address something with you.
These past two years have been challenging for everyone. None of us are exempt from this. But there is something else that none of us are exempt from, and that is the ongoing need to pivot, revamp, and regroup. I’ll use myself to prove a point.
Two things at the core of my spirit are determination and being a giver/helper. Maybe it comes from having to be a fighter earlier, but I am a “don’t throw in the towel” and “make a difference in this world” type of person. And this can come at a high cost, especially when out of balance.
In the past, I have worked myself to exhaustion and sickness. I have helped to address someone else’s wounds while needing help myself. Prior to self-employment, I have consistently worked in chaotic corporate/government environments and successfully turned chaos into clarity and productivity. So imagine my surprise when I realized the toll that these past two years and “quarantining for safety reasons” had on me.
With this understanding, I decided to close our office for this week and retreat outside of the U.S. I had to come to the reality that this was as much for my emotional and mental health as it was for my business health. Even after booking my trip, more devastating news about those I hold the closest to my heart continued to trickle in. All confirmation that much-needed rest and refreshment were past due.
Trips outside the U.S. allow me to shut out my surroundings and replenish myself completely. As long as I’m in the U.S., chances are I’m bringing a laptop and working. But point me to an island, hot weather, and crystal clear water…wifi and work are not needed!
So why did I share this with you? Because it is vital, especially now, that you do not wait for a new year to analyze where you are and what success you are building. What areas have you been working hard but need to replenish your mind, body, and soul? What do you need to cut off, disconnect from, stop doing (at least temporarily), and take a second look before proceeding? And, like the COVID-19 virus, what things are here to stay, and you need to not only adapt to but make work to your advantage?
My vacation is not an excuse for reckless abandonment: I’m still taking precautions and keeping my safety at the forefront. After all, I know my purpose, and I’m in it for the long haul, so I will always fight to protect my mind, body, and spirit. What areas do you need to arm yourself in so you can reposition yourself/brand for success? You are needed and worthy.
Divide and conquer,
Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services
Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine
Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Transformational Speaker