By Steve Beseke, beseke1@earthlink.net

Our lives and careers are very serious business. We go about our days with stout determination that success will definitely stay with us. That is, if we only work that extra hour, finish that project way ahead of schedule, or continually focus on completing task after task until their completed – no matter what…

No matter what, you say…isn’t there something else in life to shoot for?

National studies show having “fun” in your life is extremely important to our health and is sometimes a missing ingredient for many of us. One study suggests that “not finding the time away from the office,” could dramatically hurt our successful career and life path.

The message I suggest you think about and one I haven’t always followed: if you don’t step away from the office awhile, turn off the computer after the 50th job application filled out, forget to kiss your spouse, or love your wonderful kids and pets, you could become burned out and have out-of-control stress.

None of us want that – no matter how focused we are on our careers or other passions in our lives. To stay resilient, happy and fulfilled, we need to enjoy life and find those “sweet spots” that make us happy.

I say this because I need to hear it. In starting my own motivational speaking business, I have spent 60 to 80 hours a week at least thinking about work in some way or another. While each of our circumstances are unique, you also may be thinking about work as you sip a tall cool one. Or, you are at your son’s baseball game physically but mentally thinking about work – or finding your next great work adventure.

Why is that? I’d love to get your comments. From my view, it is at least partially because our world now lives through a 24/7 news cycle. We are nearly always a click away from checking e-mail, or trying to finish that report online, or finding something about anything. All of us are connected through the Internet, smart phones, etc., etc., no matter if we want it or not.

I think this “24/7 lifestyle” we lead helps us always stay too focused on the serious business of life and career – as we forget to take a deep breath or two. We don’t do this intentionally…there’s just a lot of serious stuff on our plate and fun can wait.

Well, it can’t unfortunately.

Another national survey showed that stress levels of those employed or looking for work are off the charts these days. Again, we are in serious times, but when was the last time you went to the lake and skipped rocks across the water’s surface? Had a quiet brew with a friend at a coffee shop with your phone and computer turned off?Set aside time for yourself and maybe finish that jigsaw puzzle that’s been on that card table downstairs for what seems like years?

Or, even more importantly, setting aside time with your significant other to do something fun and spontaneous for just the two of you. Maybe going to an antique shop? Staying for a night at a special bed and breakfast? Or, holding each other’s hands watching the sun set?

A healthy resilience is not just being in “your serious mode” all the time.

Fun can be a very unique experience. I suggest spending the next 15 minutes listing some of the fun you could be having if you weren’t so involved with your career or business. Then – tonight – share it with your significant person and ask the person to jot down a few bits of fun.  Share and find additional ways to stay happy and fulfilled. Come on, do it – for your sake.

For me, my fun is spending time finding antiques with my wife – with my iPhone off. Or, going out for a quiet dinner at a place we’ve never been to before. Or, cuddling with our two dachies or “weiner” dogs and loving them without worrying about my next e-mail message. Or, traveling to some exotic place and walking on a secluded beach where there is no Internet. Can you imagine that?

I’m not an old-fashioned guy, but I think we need to simplify and have a bit of fun for our health’s sake. Right now, I’m going to turn off my computer and phone, and take a ride in my boy toy – otherwise known as my Mustang GT. My “pony” and I are going to park next to a lake and watch the gentle waves as my spirit is refreshed.

I suggest you need to find your own fun and “sweet spots.” And, guess what? By allowing yourself time for such things, you’ll be more energized and successful with the more serious and mundane parts of your world.

It is amazing how your world can change if you incorporate fun back into your life…mine sure did for the absolute better!

Please be looking for new video vignettes and e-books on resilient strategies for you on my web site very soon. I also will be adding an additional national radio interview I did in the last couple weeks.

Thanks, again, for your support and take care.