Priorities

Unfortunately, most of us need a little reminder every now and
then about what is really important. Something will happen in
our lives and we just sort of sit up, slap our foreheads
stupidly, and say "DOH! Of course! I knew that, but I forgot
that I knew that!"

The trouble is that we never know when that's going to happen
and, when it does, it may be too late. If you lose a loved one
in a tragic accident, how will you be able to say those things to
them that you meant to say but never did?

My guess is that you probably don't have to think very hard to
figure out your top priorities in life. Are you taking the time,
however short, to think about it? And are you acting
accordingly, spending your time and financial resources where it
matters the most?

I just got a reminder of my own; my bride of 19 years was
diagnosed with breast cancer. After we got the news I felt two
profound emotions: fear and gratitude. The fear, of course, was
about what the future held. The gratitude was for all the time
we have been able to spend together by working at home for over
20 years.

After her first surgery we learned that it had spread. When the
situation is dire, it's easy to drop the things that used to be
soooooooo important and focus on the things that really are.

I was in the parking lot of a local market and I saw a man and
woman arguing about something. I thought about how their anger
was probably over something that, in reality, just doesn't matter
a hoot. Someday they, too, may get a sudden reminder and they
will hopefully realize how unimportant and insignificant those
types of arguments usually are.

In going back over this article, it reads sort of negative,
doesn't it? (SORT OF???) I don't mean to put you on a downer, I
just want to make sure that you keep balance and perspective in
your life. I want my reminder to serve as your reminder. It's
amazing how quickly 'important' things can become unimportant.

It's easy to work a lot when you own a small business (I'll bet
you didn't know that…) which makes it hard to achieve that
balance and perspective without some conscious effort. Are your
priorities in order? Don't wait for that giant reminder to come
and slap you in the face. The next time you get angry with a
loved one, ask yourself if it really matters that much.

One of my favorite movie quotes is from "Mr. Mom", one of
Michael Keaton's first movies. In it, he loses his corporate
job, can't find another, and his wife (played by Terri Garr) ends
up going back to work for an advertising firm leaving him at home
to take care of the kids. She ends up working too much, so he
says these eight words to her.

Now I'm saying them to you:

"It's easy to forget what's important. So don't."