Welcome Professionals…

…today is the 11th birthday of my son. In the past, I have been absent on many of his birthdays. All for good reasons, having important client meetings and postponing the birthday party to the weekend.

Today is different. I am scheduled for his birthday party when he returns from school at 4 pm. Means I have to leave the office at 3 pm. Both party and traveling time are booked to my calendar, like any client appointment would also be. I already shifted a meeting with my boss because this would have meant for me to be 30 minutes late to the birthday party.

I know I have to be punctually on time. I want to be there to look into his eyes when he tears off the wrapping paper from the presents. From experience I know that the window of attention I will get from my son is quite small. Right after 2 pieces of birthday cake he will prefer to test out his presents and maybe show them to his friends. That’s alright. Then I have plenty of time to do some calls, answer emails and prepare for meetings.

As consultants we enjoy a high degree of freedom where we can do our work. And just because we can work anywhere, anytime, does not have to mean that we work all the time. Why not book a private event into the calendar and treat it with the same importance as a business meeting?

Giving it another try,
Malte

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