In my experience, happiness is not something you should put off until some point in the future, yet many hard-working business owners do exactly that. They subconsciously decide to delay their happiness until they have reached a certain financial status or moved into a certain size house or reached some other landmark.
They promise themselves that when they have X amount of money, THAT’S when they will start relaxing and enjoying life. But right now, in the present, they will just work hard and plough through life.
I discovered a long time ago, that true success comes from learning how to enjoy the whole journey and not just the destination. I know many people in business, who work long hours building a better future. That’s great. The thing is, some of these people have been doing this for 20 years and very seldom taken time out to enjoy their family, friends and all the things that matter.
When they are at the beach, they are still really in the office; or at least their mind is. You’ve seen them too right? Sitting with their family, yet checking their email and voice-mail?
It’s commendable to have a strong work ethic and to want a better future. I would like to think I fit into that category myself. However, no one said that the journey to the top shouldn’t be fun or include plenty of time to enjoy our family and friends.