Press Pause and Connect

(This is an excerpt of an article written for Kim & Jason magazine by motivational speaker, author, and triathlete Jason Womack. He is skilled at offering practical suggestions for dealing with the challenges of balancing work and other areas of life.)

I was at a wedding last summer, at a winery atop the rolling hills of Oregon. At one point during the meal, the bride and her mom approached my table and said, “Hey, Jason, do you remember Billy Walsh?” It turns out she knew my best friend from 2nd grade! And in an instant, it all came back…

Playing “Connect Four” for hours at school.

Hiking along the Pepper Creek for hours in Lagunitas, California.

Playing for hours with Legos® all over the living room floor.

Building a “secret fort” to get away from our little brothers…for hours!

Now-a-days, we have to make conscious and concerted decisions to “slow down, stop, and smell the flowers.” And, I can personally attest to the “business case” of slowing down. The only question is…what do we DO when we press pause?

Every now and then, we need to call on those who know us the best.

Who’s on your team? Who can you call to get you back on track, re-motivated, and inspired to take the actions, complete the projects, and stretch out into new landscapes you may not have seen just yet? You might not have the “hours and hours” I had as a child to spend with my best friend. Not to worry.

Here are two ways to maximize your relationships with the people on your team, the people who you know help you out, and the ones you want to share your time, your spirit, your creativity and your ideas with in return.

Write a Letter

Write just one letter a week. I know, I know it doesn’t seem like much but as this issue’s theme is “delighting in the little things,” I can tell you how far those “little cards” go in making and creating friendships that last.

Here’s what I do (and, feel free to use and/or modify this technique) to stay connected: I buy half a dozen cards at once. Usually on sale (shhhh!!! It’s the little things, remember!) and I put first-class stamps on them. I write my return address in the upper left-hand corner, and then I put the cards in my briefcase.

Through the week, I will randomly – it just happens, I can’t help it! – think of people. No matter where I am, it’s usually just a matter of minutes until I have written them a note, added their address to the envelope, and placed that card in my “traveling inbox.” When I check into the hotel that night, or take out my inbox the next morning, I place the card in the mailbox and go along my way…

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