I’m a recovering workaholic. It took me a long time, after starting my own business 11 years ago, to recover from my new business-owner workaholism. So, when I recently accepted a corporate officer position with ACE Cash Express, my biggest concern was “falling off the wagon” – falling back into my workaholic tendencies. And I did. But I know it’s going to be easier this time to recover because I remember what it was like to have the balanced life I had built as a business-owner. I know from experience that there is no such thing as “having time” to do things there is only “making time” to do them.

How about you? Are you living your life at the speed of light – traveling so fast that you can’t see what’s around you? Not having time to even see the roses, let alone smell them. I know from personal experience how hard it is to force yourself to take time out from work to have a balanced life - especially when it’s your own business. But I also know from personal experience how rewarding it can be - and I will never go back to being a full time workaholic.

This same concept applies to NAWBO. Are you making time to attend our events? Meet our Corporate Partners? Become involved in our Mastermind Groups? Get involved with a Committee? Read our e-mails and newsletter? And, most importantly, build relationships with the people you meet along the way? There are so many opportunities to smell the roses in NAWBO – are you making the time to take advantage of them?

Our NAWBO Chapter's logo is “NAWBO Creates Connections” and my President’s theme for this year is “Create Connections to Make a Difference”. But you’ve got to make time to create connections and to make a difference. I’m relearning how to make time for what’s important in my life. I hope you are making time for what’s important in yours.

Diane McCartney, President
NAWBO Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter