What Am I Doing Here?

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? It seems with the world spinning at such a faster pace, we lose days, weeks, months and sometimes we lose years and look up and realize its already one quarter deep into 2009. Anyone else remember Y2K like it was yesterday?

What am I doing here -- at work?

Inertia can keep you in jobs you no longer are suited for and you find yourself simply going through the paces from day to day. You may not have noticed your robotic pace but I'm sure your employees have. If you feel you are sleepwalking doing the same routine, you need to really address this question. If you are dreading Mondays and begging for the weekend to get here in a hurry (as I talked about in yesterday's blog) you need to ask yourself this question.

If you are not feeling that you are performing meaningful work or realize you are not making great efforts to inspire your employees in these turbulent economic times, then the question really fits: What are you doing?

What am I doing here -- with my family?

If you were a workaholic before this recession, you are an ever greater workaholic now and the stress meter is about to hit the bell at the top. Think your family has seen a difference in your behavior? Think the work stress is spilling over into your family? Stop. Think. What are you doing here? Under stressful working conditions, domestic violence increased, depression increases and family tensions can seriously increase as well.

Sure money is tight, but some solid family time or a road trip can do wonders for getting away from the stress. Turn off the phone, leave the laptop at home and put the watch in the suitcase and take a four days trip to a fav spot you and your family can drive to, and enjoy some relaxing family time. I hear it from executives far too many times how they sacrifice family for the sake of occupational achievement. Now is the time to question your behaviors and time demands, and move the family to the front of the priority list.

What am I doing here -- with my body?

Anyone else a stress eater? Anyone else already lost that New Year's resolution of hitting the gym at least three times a week? Anyone having a difficult time getting a good night's sleep? Stress will tax your body and sap your energy. In addition to that, when we are stressed we eat poorly and on the run, exercise takes a backseat and we get to bed late trying to entertain ourselves with late TV and then toss through the night dreaming of work. Ask yourself, "What am I doing here?"

Now more than ever is the time to grab some discipline in these health areas. I know in my case I need an accountability partner and about three or four exercise buddies. Because we all travel at least a couple of us can get together. If I am meeting someone I will be there for sure. If I am on my own, that snooze button looks too good and then hitting the drive thru for breakfast starts the whole bad cycle once again. What are the body maintenance habits you need to shift today?
If you never stop to ask the important question of "What am I doing here?" You will never make the necessary changes to keep you traveling the right path for your life.

Being sidetracked can be subtle and suddenly two years down that wrong path you realize how far off you are. Add this question to your weekly routine, and constantly search for your success path.