Last week I was in Vancouver and was kinda laying low. Taking a some time from work a bit to re-energize before the warmer season really kicks off.

I’ve realized in the past few months that I’ve just been making to-do lists and checking them off. Well that doesn’t sound bad. Other than I’ve been doing just that. Just checking things off. I’m just getting things done. Getting things done doesn’t necessarily mean you’re progressing. Yes, I was getting things done, checked off, onto the next. But honestly, I wasn’t pushing me or my business forward.

My business coach always reminds me that activity ain’t progress.

Last fall I launched my new brand. It was incredibly successful. So much work went into getting it ready and off the ground. But then as it launched and bookings were coming in, networking dates coming in, etc it was flourishing. So, I sat back a little. I began putting a little less into it and started just checking off the list. I was a little tired from all of the work I had put into it. And at the time it seemed alright to sit back. Things were happening on their own. So sit back and enjoy.

Wrong.

To succeed in business is to continually breathe life into. To keep moving forward even when you think it’s just happening on its own. In that case, push even harder.

I launched a workshop in Montana called Re-Imagine. A business workshop. All focused on continually breathing new life into our businesses. To push ourselves further. To break it all down and look at it piece by piece. Choose where to focus our energy, our time, our money. And more. But in creating this and putting it together I have been inspired myself. Realizing this isn’t something we should do when we’re just starting out. Or when we’re in a rut. Or burned out. This is something we should do often. Even more than once a year. Take everything apart piece by piece and see where we can grow. Where we can be better.

I’ve learned that there is a big difference between taking some time to recharge and sitting back. Now that I’ve stood back up there’s double the work to push forward. But that’s ok. It’s worth it.

I’m reminded of something Ashton Kutcher said at the Teen Choice Awards (if you haven’t seen his speech check it out). He said, “I believe that opportunity looks a lot like hard work.”

And now it’s time to put in the real hard work. I challenge you over this next week to start re-imagining. To stop just getting things done. And, to look at your business, your life, piece by piece. And choosing not only where you put your efforts but how you’re going to grow there. And then, put in the hard work. I’ll be doing it along side you.

CHEERS to opportunities!

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