A few years ago I was jogging in the annual Bridge to Brisbane “fun run” (I know those words are a contradiction in terms but it was for charity) and I was at the 8km mark and I realised I had forgotten to take a few seconds to check out the view at the top of the bridge back at the 1km mark. That was the second year I had done the run and in the exhaustion of having got to the top and realised I had another 9km yet to go I hadn’t looked around and taken in the view (which I expect would be rather amazing-most times I am too busy driving at 80km /hour when going over it).

And this got me to thinking (not to mention taking my mind off the next 2km’s jog to the end) about how as a leader in a business we often do the same. We get caught up in the pace of what we are doing in business…the mundane tasks…the making decisions…the fixing of mistakes. In doing so we often forget to stop and take a look around at what is happening in our lives and therefore what we else we can be doing.

Do we see what people in other industries are doing that could benefit us? Do we see an odd ball opportunity that could be the next big thing? Do we see what our staff are doing really well but we overlook it? Do we take time to spend with our friends or family?

So often we don’t take the time because we can’t see what it is needed because we are being exhausted at the top of the bridge but had we taken the time we might be better able to cope with the next 9km’s (and we might not get the cramps and sore muscles).

It is essential to take a little bit of time every day to look out for you and your business – you will see massive benefits!