Irresponsible People Win

It was Wednesday night. I’d just finished speaking at a conference I was attending. I was looking forward to the next few days to connect with folks and further my career. I knew many of the people I’d meet over the next few days would be potential advertisers or content creators for my sites.

But my wife was preparing for a trip to Albuquerque to visit some friends and check out the hot air balloon festival. I was jealous.

So what did I do? I ditched the conference and am now writing from the car as we make the 10 hour trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was highly irresponsible and potentially detrimental to my career’s potential. But I know I made the right decision.

You see, it’s not our schedules or to do lists that help us make great things. It’s our experiences. We’re most inspired when we’re looking at a sunset or surrounded by hot air balloons at 6am in the morning. Those aren’t things we normally schedule.

That’s why I decided to be spontaneous. I made sure I cancelled with everyone I needed to cancel with…but I’m sure I missed something. I’m sure I’ll miss an opportunity to meet with someone that would have really helped me.

But I’m so glad I decided to be spontaneous. I know the experiences I enjoy from 20 hours on the road with my wife will be worth it all.

I’ll pour these experiences back into everything I do and make much better work because of it.

Don’t be so responsible that you miss out on the amazing things life has for you through a little spontaneity.

[Blog photo from Mopho.to]