We live in a country on the move, where many people’s answer to “how are you?” is “busy.” Much of that busyness revolves around our jobs. The U.S. is the only country in the industrialized world in which workers are not required, by law, to take even one day off. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average number of days Americans get in paid leave (after three years) is 10.2 days. The crazy thing? Some people don’t even take the vacation days they get!

What signals do you observe in your own life that tell you when you’re working too hard? Most people become tired, stressed or forgetful (or all three!). Steve Jobs took “forgetful” to a whole new level when harsh deadlines placed on filmmakers at Pixar had him working such long hours that it nearly resulted in his infant’s death:

“The situation came to a head when an overstressed and overtired animator set off to work with his infant child, having agreed with his wife that he would drop the baby off at day care that morning. When he spoke with his wife later that day, she casually asked how the drop-off had gone — and he realized only then that he had, in his mental haze, completely forgotten.

The baby was still in the back seat of his car in the parking lot. Although quick action by rescue workers headed off the worst, the incident became a horrible indicator that some on the crew were working too hard.”*

Maybe you read that and think, “that would never happen to me.” Jobs would have probably said that too—until it happened. The question is not if it will happen, but when. We weren’t made to work ourselves into the ground.

What so you need to do today, this week, this month, to prevent leaving the baby in the backseat?

*From The Pixar Touch, by David Price

Why do professional athletes struggle so much with “hanging it up?” The current stories of Brett Favre and Nancy Lieberman reminded me of the scores of athletes over the years who have retired only to play again shortly thereafter.

I’ve not competed at the pro level and can’t pretend to know what it’s like. Perhaps those with elite talent who compete at the highest level have a harder time letting it go. To me, however, their struggle stems from confusion between purpose and goals. Coach Jim Tressel talks about this in his latest book, A Winner’s Manual: For the Game of Life.

Coach Tressel uses Ohio State’s symbolic “Block O” to highlight six key areas in becoming a successful person. The top three areas embody our Purpose—who we are, while the bottom three address our Goals—what we do.

The important difference is that our sport falls in the Goals category. Since pro athletes spend so many years honing their skills, it’s easy for their sport to become their life. Like those t-shirts that were once so popular: “Football is Life” or “Basketball is Life.” And the line between Purpose and Goals becomes blurred.

This confusion can creep into all of our lives, no matter what our profession. What we do has become so important to us that we forget who we are. Finding our identity in who we are (Purpose) rather than what we do (Goals) allows us to embrace the transitions of life and move forward rather than attempting to hold on to the past.

Take a look at your life today. Where are you finding your identity?

My dad spent over 30 years running his own business as a tool & die designer. In those days before computer aided design (CAD), this meant his work revolved around blueprints—the drawing/plan that showed the manufacturer the precise measurements needed to build the machine, tool, etc.

Similarly, we each have a blueprint for our lives—a plan designed by our Creator. We have a purpose and oftentimes a vision of what could be and should be in our lives.

Recently, I’ve been working through Blueprint for Life, a 10-week study designed to help participants discover the life they were meant to live. The interactive curriculum includes a workbook with chapter narrative, bible study questions and practical application exercises as well as drive-time audio CD’s by well-known Christian leaders. As I work through the study, I’m creating Blueprints for the different areas of my life—spiritual, relationships, physical, financial and career—which will help me stay focused.

Our purpose in life is as unique as our fingerprint! Discovering that purpose and creating a plan—a Blueprint—for how to live it out is an exhilarating experience! One that leads you closer toward the life you were born to live.

Soon, I’ll be hosting Blueprint for Life webinars so you, too, can discover the life you were meant to live. More information coming soon!

va·ca·tion –noun, a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel.

You probably already knew the definition of vacation. Intellectually, most of us understand the concept and can even identify when we need one, but when we finally get one, many of us fail to truly vacate. To really suspend work, study, etc.

I’m the first to champion all the benefits of technology, but the round-the-clock availability created by cell phones, blackberries, texts and emails definitely has a downside. Our 24/7 availability heightens the urgency of virtually everything. We feel important. Needed. It becomes a well from which we draw our worth and significance.

We get so used to this constant source of "affirmation" that we can’t press the “off” button. We simply can’t bear to shut off the constant demands and admit that we’re not that important. That the world will keep spinning if we don't answer right this second. So we allow the rings or vibrations to interrupt moments that really are important, like time with family or friends.

Recently, I experienced the freedom of pressing “off” when I vacationed in Greece, where my cell phone didn’t work. I loved it! It allowed me to truly rest and embrace every moment.

So here’s the challenge: turn off your phone or whatever device you use most. I double-dog-dare you! Start small—turn it off during meals or time with your family. You’ll be amazed at the freedom you feel and maybe, just maybe you can build on that small step and truly vacate on your next vacation!

I like Howard Lefkowitz’s style. Over a million people visit his Vegas.com website to plan trips to Las Vegas. As the CEO, he juggles a variety of responsibilities, one of which is leading about 500 employees.

He’s a firm believer in MBWA—management by walking around. At least twice a day, he makes the rounds of the office to observe, listen, learn and share. He notes that “more stuff gets done in the hallway in an impromptu meeting than in a formal process.”

Increased leadership means more responsibility (code word for more paperwork). Meetings and paperwork can bog leaders down, limiting face-time with people. To lead well, we must plan time in our schedule to walk the halls and connect with the people in the trenches. This intentionality shows the people we lead that they hold greater importance than our paperwork and makes us more approachable.

Recently, I worked with a division I athletic director who implemented MBWA in her schedule. She experienced meaningful conversations with coaches and staff that gave her energy and enthusiasm for the tasks ahead. This held importance for the success of the athletic department, but more importantly it reminded her of what she enjoyed most about her job—the people.

How can MBWA make a difference for you?