Stopping for Joy

This afternoon I will turn off my computer, change the message on my voicemail and announce to the world that I am not available.

This week’s issue could be about the role of family in your business, or balancing your workload and household, or even time management because it covers those bases. But, please read on to see what it’s really about.

My son Robert was actively involved in my egg decorating business when he was growing up and living at home. His main job, based on brute strength, willingness and a bit of bribery, was unloading my vehicle after every craft show I participated in, carrying display pieces from the roof rack to the basement for storage. He worked the cash box at my home studio shows while my husband toted the sales. And he contributed to my bottom line by ordering special gifts for classmates and professors in college.

Rob, at age 19, came with me to my first National Speakers Association conference in 1997. We attended separate breakout sessions so he could fill me in on what I missed. I’ll never forget his schmoozing Mark Victor Hansen (of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame), whose talk he had attended earlier that day. We were in the gift shop of the hotel, where I, still early in my speaking career, was too intimidated to introduce myself. Rob walked right up to him and engaged him in a conversation about lasik eye surgery which Mark had mentioned in his talk. Pretty soon Mark was jotting down some information on a slip of paper for Rob.

As my son completes his last year of law school, I’m button-holing him for legal advice on business issues. His graduation date, a top priority event, was indelibly determined by his institution. That made it easier for me to decide when to sign up for a weeklong leadership program I plan to attend. Because I want to be fully present for Rob on that day, I postponed my enrollment until after the occasion. As an entrepreneur, you get to take your whole life into consideration when arranging your calendar.

But today there is something even more exciting to tell. Today I want to let you know how thrilled for and proud I am of Rob. He has found the most wonderful woman, Anne Healy, to spend the rest of his life with. They are going to be married on Saturday, March 31 and my family and I couldn’t be happier.

For the next few days the most important thing in my life will not involve my business at all. I will be celebrating Robert and Anne.

My professional work for the month is complete and now it’s time for the exquisite self-care I recommend to my clients. It can mean daily exercise, meditation, healthy eating and time for contemplation. On this very special occasion, my exquisite self-care will include lots of time at the salon getting beautified, but also and more important, it means reserving three days to hang out with my favorite people on this planet—my husband, children, Anne and her family and my good friends who will celebrate with us.

Today’s message—block out time for your joyous occasions. And, please raise a glass to Rob and Anne this Saturday night. Take time for celebration when it comes your way and invent your own joy in between.