RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2017
4
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com
Be well,
R
ecently, I have been reflecting on the cycles of life and the challenges we
all face at one time or another — personally and in business — as they are
often intertwined in the small business environment.
I experienced a mild traumatic brain injury from a rear-end car accident late
last year, which left me with many months of doing absolutely nothing except
to rest and stay hydrated. It forced me to stop everything I was doing on a
daily basis in order to heal. It was frustrating to say the least, struggling with
my desire to be well NOW! I had things to do, places to go. I was to go on
a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip to Dubai and Africa on safari with friends in
Kenya. Those plans and many more were shelved. I was grounded.
We all know someone who has been affected by a job loss, foreclosure,
illness, or financial insecurity in some way. How do we address that when
confronted? How do we support the grieving that comes from this loss and
change? In our businesses, how many of us take the time to really get to
know our employees or co-workers to find out about the challenges they may
be facing? Would it make a difference to them or to our team's spirit if we
took a little time and actually got up close and personal with those we spend
so much of our working days with?
My new criteria is to ask myself, 'Will this matter a year from now? ' If the
answer is no, then why get upset about it now? Conversely, if the questions
you ask yourself about the events and circumstances in your life pass the
one-year test, then that's the indicator of the worthiness of your time and
attention. How many times have I brushed aside time with my family for
projects that needed doing around the house instead of saying yes to who
and what matters most? These are the things that really matter in life, the
things we need to prioritize in the time we spend with those we love and
those we work with. Why does it take an accident or a death in the family or
financial crisis before we wake up and get our priorities straight?
I encourage you all to take the time and let those you know, love and work
with every day know how much you care. That's just one way to be prepared
and at peace with some of the big stuff that comes along in our lives.
THE BIG
STUFF OF LIFE
Elle's View As I See It
MAY 2017, VOLUME 28, ISSUE 5
CELEBRATING OUR 28
TH
YEAR
AS THE RETAIL OBSERVER
PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR
E LIANA BARRIGA
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
MOE LASTFOGEL
ART DIRECTOR
TERRY PRICE
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
HANK ALEXANDER
MIKE ALLEN
JOE HIGGINS
MISSY HODGES
ASHLEY KAPLAN
DEAN LANDERS
DON PIERSON
JOHN TSCHOHL
E LLY VALAS
LIBBY WAGNER
DEADLINE FOR JULY 2017 ISSUE:
JUNE 1, 2017
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