Snorkeling and Business

I love snorkeling. One of my all-time favorite life moments was a day spent snorkeling with my wife in the Florida Keys. The scenery was breath-taking and I could have spent hours swimming around watching the array of wildlife.

What does that have to do with business? I had a long conversation today with a man who I consider a mentor, and we were talking about long-range planning and vision (and how it's easy to get off track). I mentioned to him that I had been working away too hard in my business and hadn't taken the time to "come up for air" often enough. As we talked, we built upon the analogy. You see, when you are snorkeling, it can be fascinating and exciting, but you have to be careful to come up above the water from time to time so you know where the boat is, lest you lose your way.

In business, if you are a small business owner, it's easy to stay under water so long that you lose sight of the boat, the end goal. It's important to step back from your work on a regular basis to pop your head above the water and get re-oriented. Are you off track? Have you strayed from your plan? You'll never know if you don't measure your current situation and compare it with your ultimate goal/vision for your business (you DO have those, right)?

So to all you small biz owners out there, I hope you are reminded and encouraged today, like I was, to stop staring at the fascinating wildlife under the water long enough to make sure you haven't lost your way. After all, at the end of the day you want to sitting dockside enjoying the sea breezes and some fresh seafood instead of drifting at sea.

James Friesen
Mango Tree Media