If you are anything like me, you tend to get so laser-focused on growing your business that you forget that the sun sets in other colors besides “inbox blue” and that you need to take time to live your dash.
Yeah, been there.
Worn that sleep-deprived T-shirt.
Drank the gallons of coffee.
Listen, your amazing business needs you to recharge.
To remind yourself you’re not just a CEO, you’re a human with a dash to live!
Life is not a to-do list.
But I get it.
Surrounded by stacks of papers, inbox overflowing, while the sun outside is coaxing you with whispers of adventures!
You glance at your watch, then back at the never-ending list of tasks, that familiar sigh escaping your lips.
“Just one more email,” you tell yourself, “then I’ll…”
But let’s be honest, that “then” typically doesn’t come.
We let ourselves get swept up into the whirlwind of getting things done.
Bogged down by endless to-do lists.
Forgetting that life is more than just ticking boxes.
It is a vibrant, chaotic dash between two dates on a tombstone.
We all have one, this precious hyphen marking the beginning and end of our journey.
But how often do we truly live that dash?
How often do we trade the fluorescent-lit grind for the vibrant hues of sunsets?
How often do we prioritize passion over those pending emails?
Purpose over those beautiful spreadsheets?
The truth is, most of us don’t.
We’re conditioned to chase productivity, to equate busyness with worth.
Sometimes, the most important strokes are the ones left blank.
The spaces we create for spontaneous picnics.
Sunset drinks with friends.
Or maybe simply doing absolutely nothing but breathing the fresh air.
Studies back this up.
Research by the University of California, Berkeley suggests that pursuing our passions and not just achieving goals, leads to greater well-being.
And a Harvard study showed that taking regular breaks actually boosts focus and creativity.
So, putting down the to-do list and chasing that long-forgotten dream is not a self-indulgence.
It is an investment in ourselves, in our happiness, and in living a life that’s truly worth remembering.
But where do we start?
How do we trade that familiar, addicting buzz of deadlines for the thrilling uncertainty of passion?
It is not about quitting your job tomorrow (unless you truly hate it, then maybe do that).
But instead, it is about taking small steps.
Carving out moments in your day, your week, your life, for the things that make your soul happy.
Sign up for that pottery class you have been eyeing.
Dust off your guitar and serenade the moon (even if it is off-key).
Plan a weekend trip to that hidden waterfall you read about.
Take a walk in the park and let your mind wander like a carefree butterfly.
It does not matter what it is.
As long as it ignites a spark within you, as long as it whispers, “This is why I’m here. This is how I want to live my dash.”
Life is not a to-do list.
It is a canvas.
A kaleidoscope of possibilities waiting to be explored.
So, grab your paintbrush, pick your colors, and start creating.
What adventures will you paint on your dash?
What passions will you splash across the sky?
Remember, every blank space is an invitation.
Every moment is a chance to make your life a masterpiece, not a checklist.
So, what will you do today to live your dash?
To paint your life with the vibrant colors of purpose and passion?
Share your dreams, your adventures, your anything-but-ordinary moments in the comments below!
Or send me a message, I’ll help encourage you to live our dashes to the fullest!
