“Everyone around me has a more exciting life than me.”

So lamented the business owner at the commencement of our conversation.

She continued: “They are travelling overseas visiting new & exciting places.  I am stuck here in Adelaide struggling to sell houses in a tight market while in the throes of launching a second business.  I am over it.”

 I simply asked: “What are you looking forward to?”

 She went quiet.  I waited.

She whispered: “Nothing.  All I see going forward is more of the same.”

 I challenged her: “What can you do to change this?”

She leaned back in the chair with a thoughtful expression.  I waited.

“I could take a two-week road trip to Mudgee as a friend recently invited me to come over to visit but I put them off.”

 “Why?”

“Being absent from my business would mean letting my clients down.  If I am not out hustling for business, I would feel guilty and maybe jeopardise my future and that of the business.”

 I challenged: “Is that really true?”

She went quiet. I waited.

She leaned forward excitedly and said: “No it’s not true as only the person I will be letting down by not taking a break is me.  How can I expect to look after my clients when I am not looking after myself.”

“I am going to reach out to my friend in Mudgee, book the trip in the next month and disappear for two weeks.”