Relationship, Reflection, & Change

So recently I had a conversation that shifted my perspective on my business. After that conversation, and from another angle, I was challenged regarding the same subject matter. Then again I was hit with the same subject matter a third time. Have you ever had this happen? If so, what did you do about it? I did find it a bit ironic and maybe a little eerie.
So here is what I did:

1. Paused for some Reflection time. I have a few really good spots I like to go when I need to pause and reflect. One of them is in the woods sitting in a tree stand while hunting. There is a peace I find in the woods where the noise of the everyday slows falls away to just my thoughts. If the weather isn’t conducive I will retreat to the indoors and sit in a special spot on the couch where I am comfortable and free of distractions. At other times I will go sit in my truck at a beach site looking out over the vastness of Lake Michigan. The point is, I go there and I THINK on a specific subject for 30 minutes or so. During the reflection time I ask and answer as many questions of myself on that one specific subject matter that I possibly can.
2.   Wrote down all of the answers. My reflection time is good and all but I have learned that I don’t do a very good job of taking action if I don’t have some answers to work with. I used to think going out for a 3-5 mile run, sitting in the truck driving, or mowing the lawn was good thinking and reflection time. But it isn’t if I don’t write down the answers to those questions I had.
3. Made a decision. It didn’t happen all in one day. I wrestled with the subject over a week or so and finally came to a realization and a new truth. It was very liberating and I decided I wanted to do something about it.
4. Took Action. After deciding that I needed to change and assessed the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. It has been challenging at times. Some of my old beliefs and habits kick back in. There have also been some missing information and technology issues that have slowed my process down. And the reality is, there isn’t a short term fix. This is a long term shift. I continue to remind myself of a saying one of my Uncles once told me, “Inch by Inch, it’s a cinch…Yard by Yard it’s going to be hard…Mile by Mile it’s going to take a while!” So each day, I have engaged in the activities in inches. One at a time.
Are you wondering what the subject matter was? RELATIONSHIP. I realized through the series of events and conversations that I didn’t have the depth of the relationships that I want. Now this isn’t just one specific area of my life and it isn’t all areas of my life. I have just found that I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and business that I have not taken the time to build the relationships I want and need. It’s been a pretty cool, albeit humbling discovery.
So if you get a phone call from me in the not so distant future, don’t be surprised. I want to connect. I want to know how you are doing. I want to know if there is anything I can do to help you. I want you to tell me a story that will cause me to laugh with you, cry with you, maybe pray for you, or even celebrate with you.