It is the time of year for seasonal preparations and business planning for the coming year. So it seemed timely that while I was looking through my mother’s cookbooks for family favorites, I stumbled upon this lovely list. It not only applies to life but it is great business wisdom too.
Take Time for 10 Things (author unknown)
- Take time to Work —It is the price of success.
- Take time to Think—It is the source of power.
- Take time to Play—It is the secret of youth.
- Take time to Read—It is the foundation of knowledge.
- Take time to Worship—It is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from your eyes.
- Take time to Help and Enjoy Friends—It is the source of happiness.
- Take time to Love—It is the one sacrament of life.
- Take time to Dream—It hitches the soul to the stars.
- Take time to Laugh—It is the singing that helps with life’s loads.
- Take time to Plan—It is the secret of being able to have time to take time for the first 9 things.
This list is over 35 years old and still applies today. Planning time for all of these things will make a huge difference in your business and personal life. The only one I’d adjust would be to change Worship to taking time to be Spiritual, to honour everyone’s beliefs.
Which of the 10 business wisdom(s) do you naturally take time to do? Which ones do you need to remember to include in your weekly plans? What difference will it make if you take time for all 10? Please share in the comments below or come share them in the Ready for More! Women Business Owner Circle.
I love to see entrepreneurs follow their passions, serve more people and create the lifestyle of their dreams.
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I love that list – so I am bookmarking this post! It’s a great reminder of a To Do list that matters. I am guilty of over-planning and never pulling the trigger or to be blinded by “excuses”. I am proud to say that I have made strides these past few months and look forward to a bigger & better year in 2016 as I grow my business. Thank you for sharing.
Tamara – It is a great reminder of the To-Do list that matters. I can be guilty of over-planning as well, so that a great point to bring out. It planning and execution that really makes the difference. Thanks for sharing that insight, great future blog topic.
Hi Heather!
What an awesome and yes very timeless list of fantastic business wisdom!
My favorites are 7, 8 and 9 🙂 Need to laugh more, dream more and definately love more!
Thanks for sharing the wisdom!
Joan – Isn’t it a great list? It shows how little things really change when it comes to the heart of what really matters. Thanks for sharing your favorites.
This is such a wonderful list and timeless. For me, I do #’s 2, 4, 6 and 8 very easily. Hmm. The even numbers, wonder what that means. 😉 Always with #5 – Spirituality in mind. I’d like to have more “paying” work, although I believe I am working all the time. Also more play would be a good thing for me. Planning yes, although that doesn’t come as easily for me. I plan in my own way and see big plans in the making, then I am always asked to have patience and let those unfold in their own timing. Happy Holidays and thanks for sharing this lovely list with us all, Heather!
Beverley – I love the way you looked at the list and the fact that you do all others with #5 in mind. I think that is great insight for others including myself. Thank you for sharing.
This is a timeless list, Heather. Wow – what a find! And, yes, I agree with your adjustment of worship to spirituality. Pretty amazing that 30 years later this is still spot on. What a gift for you to have come across this – we still need to pay attention to all aspects of our lives, get energy from a variety of places and spaces.
Deb – Thank you, it was timeless and so fun to go through old cookbooks with wonderful memories. We do need to pay attention to all aspects of our lives. To know that we are only truly successful when we nurture them all.
Anything this sound will last forever. Happy to say I do all 9 and my weakest is # 10. I plan in a less structured way than most business minded people & I intend to approach 2016 with more formal planning. As a creative, it is the hardest for me, however I read enough from marketing gurus to know I need to plan & work the plan.
Roslyn – I think planning is the hardest for most people, even those who seem to love planning. They can write a great plan but fail to execute it. A theme coming out is we all need to plan BUT it more importantly we need to WORK the plan. Great way to put it, thank you for sharing.
What a great list! The whole planning thing (makes way for the other 9) is the best, although I have to admit I always “plan” to be spontaneous if I have a small opportunity to spend time with loved ones. Thank you for the advice! 🙂
Liz – I love the idea of planning to be spontaneous, that fits into my style as well. I know if I plan around it then I’m much better at saying to myself, ok go be spontaneous but remember to come back and do what is on your plan for this week.
Thanks for sharing that idea.
That’s a great list. I’m definitely going to have to play more in 2016 with Miss Coco to make up for that 1 element which was neglected when she fell sick this year and we had to improvise on games that took the condition of her back into consideration.
Season’s greetings to you and your loved ones, Heather.
Vatsala, I hope the list helps you focus on all the aspects of having a healthy and balanced life. Season’s greetings to you as well.
Hi Heather, I finished Planathon 2016 a few weeks ago and it was a lot of fun. We can all plan, but we have to put things into motion in order to be successful. I can safely say that I’ll be doing 9 out of the 10 things on that list!
Gisele: Absolutely, planning is one thing but without motion nothing gets accomplished. I’d also add that it is important to know how you can measure if you actions are working towards your plan or not. It is easy to write a plan, put it away and forget to look at it. You think you are working towards your plan but in reality you’ve gone off course.
Thanks for your input.