ARTICLE
As a young boy, there was nothing more magical than a snow day. I'd listen intently by the radio (no cell or email communication back then) waiting to hear the magical words. And then, I hear the announcer proclaim, "Allentown schools are closed today!!!" Hooraaay! I'd jump back in bed with a big smile on my face and drift back to sleep. Around noon it was time to head to my favorite sleigh-riding hill. All my friends would be there and it was a hugely fun time. We'd ride all day and break only to run into a great neighborhood store — The Campus Shop — for hot chocolate. Laughter, snow, friends and hot chocolate vs. a day in school? No contest. Today, snow days are different. Streets aren't closed off for sliders anymore. You don't walk to your favorite sledding hill knowing many friends will be there waiting for you. Your daily school work can be sent via email to your laptop. And, you most likely have a pre-determined work plan to catch up on. Life is maybe easier and better in many ways, but I'm not sure it's more fun. Now to my point. There's a true story of two brothers who worked hard in their family grocery store. Brother number one, I'll call him Joe, worked in that store diligently every day, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. until close. He was a virtual working machine. Brother number two, I'll call him Teddy, also worked hard but, he took three weeks a year for him. One week he'd hike in the Smoky Mountains for fun and exercise. Another would be spent at the beach to take in the beautiful summer weather. And, the third was just to relax and work around the house — "blue sky time." Blue sky meaning sit, relax, stare at the sky and let your mind take you where it will. To make a long story short, Joe to this day is still working very hard in the family market. He is just barely keeping the business alive, competing against incredibly astute 21st century competitors both large and small. Teddy, on the other hand, is president of a very well-known, very successful and large supermarket chain. Teddy is still taking his time off and much more than the three weeks he took when he started out. You see, his demands are greater now as is his need to rejuvenate his mind and body. His responsibilities are great, including the livelihoods of many employees. My point is this. Just as great athletes must rest his/her body, great business people have to rest their minds. They, like great athletes, have to operate at optimum levels in today's very competitive world. They have to have the attitude, energy and alertness to identify and capitalize on opportunities. Nobody wants an emotionally and physically tired soldier fighting the daily battles in today's busy world. That is a sure recipe for failure. There is no one who loves his/her job more than me. So many people I know feel the same. My cell phone never leaves my side, seven days a week, from sun up until I retire for the night. It's not really work to me ... I see it as exciting and invigorating. Having said that, no matter who you are and how much you love your work, unless you're paying attention to your health quotient, you are slowly burning out. So, if you're doing something you love, great! If you're not, find that something. But remember, as you race to the top of your game, please stop, relax and regenerate. Think about where it is you are striving to be and who you want to be. Nurture your body, stay healthy the best way you know how and most of all, REST YOUR BUSY MIND. It'll pay dividends and you, in the end — I guarantee — will be happy and far more successful than you would without it. Just ask Teddy! Read the original article here.