I created Living ROI as a passion, to share my experiences and support others who want to live more authentic, joyful and fulfilling lives.
The sun and the seasons and the birds and the trees don’t realize we are in the middle of a global pandemic that appears to be getting worse. The streams and the ocean and the rocks and trails are not fazed by the social unrest and political maelstrom that inundates some of the world. The worries and the implications of the economic downturn are not on the minds of the critters and the fish.
When I was kayaking on a high mountain lake last week, the worries of the world stopped. I know it’s healthy to take a break sometimes. When we fill ourselves up, we are able to be there for others. I almost didn’t do that kayaking. I had to get on the road that day. Then, a thought came to me, “I am not going to defer my life.”
I am not going to defer my life, like I have so many times over the years. As most of us do to some extent. I have given up family time, personal time, fun time, in the name of work more times than I can count. I’m much more balanced these days, but there is no likelihood that I will suddenly be compelled to stop working. That drive in me is strong; and when I’m doing work that I’m passionate about, I love it.
These days, more and more, I fill my work time with things I am passionate about and where I can have the biggest impact while enjoying it. For years I thought I had to do things I didn’t want to do just because I happened to be good at it. I’ve learned that others are happy to do those things, and usually better than I could have done them myself.
As we get older, we realize the world does not stop when we leave the room. And, when we go back into the room, there is still an important role to play.
I love writing this blog, but summer in the mountains is short and precious; therefore, I am taking a hiatus from the blog until Sunday, September 27 so I can spend as much time outside as possible. I will still be working my “day job” at ROI Communication.
I look forward to more words, thoughts and exchanges then!
Wishing you all more focus and concentration to do the things in life that matter to you!
Barbara Fagan-Smith
CEO, ROI Communication
Chief Catalyst, Living ROI
P.S. We talk about the topic of focus, and much more, in The Enlightened Workplace Project online course that is launching this Friday! If you’re interested, register using the code: ROISPECIAL for a significant discount. Or, if you’d be willing to participate in a focus group, reach out to me, by replying this this email, and you can join the course for free.
