Today I decided to take some time to decompress, so we drove from the deserts of Phoenix to the gorgeous pine covered mountains of Show Low, Arizona. The twisty, windy road travels through the mountains, climbing up the peaks and then dropping down into the valleys.

There was breathtaking scenery along the way. And the destination was more than worth the journey.

Along the route I started to notice distinct types of travelers. There were those who slammed on the brakes at every curve or downhill grade. It seemed as if they were very afraid and didn’t trust their drivings skills.

Then, there were those who were so focused on the destination that they were willing to break laws and endanger other people to get there just a tiny bit faster.

Finally, there were those travelers who knew their destination, but were still able to enjoy the journey. They were able to travel along with the flow of traffic, stop and enjoy a scenic view, look at the roadside flora, and watch the wildlife play. When their small break was over they had the confidence to get back on the road again.

My mind drew parallels with the way business owners utilize the internet.

So, let me ask you… What type of driver are you, on the internet super highway?

Are you on the road, but scared to death? Afraid to move forward, yet afraid to get off and be left behind? Perhaps you’re not even sure of your destination. But hey, everybody else is on this road, so you must need to be here too, right?

If you are this type of driver, my best advice to you is to find a mentor or someone you can trust, who has navigated this road before. Learn from them and let them guide you to gain the confidence you need to safely navigate to your destination.

Or, are you so focused on your destination that you are completely oblivious to the risks you take, unable or unwilling to enjoy the journey or slow down enough to help another traveler along the way? Do you have a tendency to take on the world as a solo act, believing that you are the only one who can do things “right” in your business? This type of traveler runs the risk of physical or mental burnout, or both. You may reach your destination only to find that you have sacrificed your family, friends, health, or ???

If you are this type of traveler be aware of what your focus is doing, not only to yourself, but to those you care most about. Perhaps you can take a small step back and look at what needs to happen for you to reach your destination. Then think about the things that take a large amount of your time, or that you just simply don’t enjoy doing. Perhaps you can contract someone to take on one of those tasks.

Now, don’t go contract out a bunch of tasks at once. First, you’ll need time to work closely with someone to feel comfortable that they will handle the task to your standards. Second, you don’t really want to jump into a new role of supervising a bunch of outsource contractors. Outsource one task or role at a time. When that one is running smoothly, then look at the next task to outsource.

Finally, you may be a traveler who knows where you’re going, has a clear plan to get there, and stops long enough to enjoy the precious moments with friends and family, possibly even helping another traveler along the way.

If this is you, you probably don’t need me to tell you to get help when you need it. You likely surround yourself with other happy, confident travelers. These are people who can make our journey so much more joyous.

And when the mud slide holds you up, get the real story, be patient, and stay the course. Others may turn around and go back the way they came, but you’ll get where you want to go faster if you make informed decisions.

Learn to relax and enjoy the journey. After all, the key to the internet lifestyle is in the word “lifestyle”.

Until next time…

Live with passion and purpose,
Vanessa

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