Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

Bringing Craig to THM to hang his computer repair shingle on our nail was a turning point for me. His technical helpfulness freed me to take on jobs that I could not have accomplished otherwise. I launched projects with a Type-A personality sort of drive. Every new day was fun and successful.

Previously I was a creative and relaxed person; you might even say I was a bit lazy. I had been cautioned that running a business would consume more time than I had been used to working. I took that to heart. Luckily, I was having fun and it never felt like work. It still doesn't, yet there is a toll paid by the entrepreneur.

So much energy was spent that the giddy-up needle on my happy tank dipped below zero. On a recent Tuesday I conceived, created and delivered an idea that used up my last ounce of forward mo- Wednesday I pushed further and noticed I was often near tears for no good reason. I recognized I had failed to do a most important thing; take care of myself. By Thursday I could barely string sentences together. Empty is what I was.

Type A personalities have a temperament marked by excessive competitiveness and ambition, an obsession with accomplishing tasks quickly, with little time for self-reflection, and a strong need to control situations. That definition described me and I used it to reverse the burn out.

I took two days off, determined to accomplish nothing. (See that? Determined!) I forced myself to leave THM with all it's dreams and plans that are typically carried in my head 24/7. Laundry and dishes sat untouched; the i- Pod was banished. It was just me, a match and a tree stump.

Tending that fire for hours on end was the best vacation I've ever had. Lightness of being returned, energy level rose and general cheerfulness set in. It was a revelation. Having a laser focus on production without balancing recreation is hazardous. We need to get off the wheel every now and then. Even Craig goes to his home in Houston on weekends.

Yet, there's so much to do. The future looks bright and fulfilling. I just have to remember to stop! and fill my happy tank ever so often. I hope you are satisfied and please remember to top off your tank, too.