It’s harder for an older person like myself, but it’s not ever easy for anybody.  But it is necessary in today’s world to re-shape your life if you’re looking for a successful career.  That means cutting back, or discarding, actually, some of the things you really like to do but which take too much time away from establishing a professional foundation for the future.

   For instance.  I had the day off from work today; personal business.  Still, it left many hours free.  I could have used that time to work on IG‘s new campaign.  Uh-uh.  A hot movie, Inception, was still playing, and it’s the kind of thing that needs the B-I-G screen.  It was just too tempting, so I went.  I’m glad I did.  It’s what used to be called a “head trip” movie.  Barely coherent, but you can’t take your eyes off it.  Then I went to the library.  Took out an old Don DeLillo (Players) and a book on Nietzsche’s political philosophy.  The weird thing is, I was reading the Nietzsche book at a Cosi, with my latte, when my cell vibrated: it was a sales rep from a software company returning my call from yesterday.  I was totally blank for a moment, but managed to stammer some kind of a response that, I hope, sustains the illusion that I am not a fruitcake.

   That was too close a call.  In today’s work environment, I’ve learned, along with many of you, I suspect, that you’d better be connected at all times, everywhere, in case that precious opportunity leaps out at you, with no advance warning!

   I managed to squeak through this time, but what about the next one?  Can I afford to indulge myself — the movies, the latte — and still feel fully prepared for business activities?  I still haven’t decided.