CGM blog: The value of business ‘me time’

07 Apr CGM blog: The value of business ‘me time’

If you played a round of golf with just one club the chances are you’d find it pretty difficult.

Let’s say you chose a five iron, you might be okay on fairways, but would lack power for a decent drive off the tee, insufficient angle to chip out of the rough or sand and as for putting, well, forget it.

Yet how many business people toil with their one single marketing tactic day after day, week in week out, year on year and failing, slowing down, looking tired yet working longer hours?

What they need is some business ‘me’ time – to take time out to learn to use a bagful of marketing golf clubs so they can view things from a fresh perspective, acquire new skills and share thoughts.

You’d think some people were being invited to anesthetic free dentistry rather than a day from the grind.

But business ‘me’ time is well spent.

One of our seasoned media training attendees told me recently: “I love and hate your sessions.”

I was bemused. How so? “Well, I like the things we learn – and I always learn something new. I also meet some fantastic people.”

So what’s wrong? “Well, I hate the fact that I know I’m going to implement some of the changes and it will help us grow.”

But that’s good isn’t it? “Yes, but then I have no excuse to not come back and learn more things.”

And that’s the great compulsion about business ‘me’ time. Okay, you could go to a spa, enjoy a relaxing break, go for a walk, play sport, whatever – but learning, meeting people and soaking up inspiration is refreshing, fun and it works.

Leaning to communicate more effectively for example can breathe fresh life into your business. It’s like adding clubs to your golf bag. You don’t need to rely on that single club as you have more options and tactics to use.

So go on – take some training and reward yourself some business ‘me’ time.

Chris Green is managing director of Chris Green Media, an experienced author and broadcaster who manages CGM’s training courses. Click here for further details.