Travel has a way of helping you to adjust your perspective on things, doesn’t it?  The act alone – taking a trip – takes us out of our day-to-day reality and helps us discover new places and experiences, and to re-discover the things that are truly important – whatever that may be to you.

I just spent ten days overseas – six days in Paris, and the rest in Disneyland Paris.  I love experiencing the history, architecture, and culture in Europe.  And let’s be honest, I totally nerd out when I can stand in the same place, and see the same things, I’ve seen on some of my favorite movies.  DaVinci Code? John Wick 4? Oh yes, I was THERE!

Beyond acting like a complete superfan, we had some amazing experiences.  I want to share with you some of the things that I realized while we were away.  And now that I’m home, and looking back, as an entrepreneur, I’m having some epiphanies about how I can apply these lessons to my business life.  Roll with me on this one…

The first thing I (re)discovered in Paris is that we all need a break.  I tried SUPER hard to not read any emails or respond to messages, but bed-time phone-time got the best of me, and I inevitably peaked.  I’m proud to say, though, that while I peaked, I did not engage!  The illusion of a break was protected ;) There’s nothing like a vacation to give you perspective and help you clarify (or remember) your boundaries.  Thank you, Universe, for the reminder.

Now heading on vacation may not be in the cards for you but remembering your boundaries is a lesson we can act on at any time. What drives you crazy? What name in your inbox makes you cringe? Start there!  This is YOUR business after all; why do we subject ourselves to people or work that brings us nothing but headache? Not all money is good money, or clients, good clients.  Your sanity and self-respect are worth much more than that.  Ok enough soap boxing…you get the message: put your well-being first.

The second thing I (re)discovered in Paris: Nothing drives me more insane that illogical maps.  The Louvre, for all its beauty, must have been designed by a sadist.  I have never been given a map that shows how to navigate each floor of a building, only to go around every other corner to find a set of stairs (that isn’t on the map) that takes you up or down a level.  No straight path.  No rhyme or reason to any of it.  It was infuriating to be given a map that confuses more than it helps. Don’t pretend to be useful!  

Eventually we just gave up.  We stopped trying to get to every room (or a specific room), and just let fate be our guide.  We got most of what we wanted to see, seen, and when the sight of another staircase made our feet die a little death, we choose to find the elevator.  Letting go.  Another solution.  These were our lessons from the Louvre.

Now, I work with MANY clients that have creative minds, some with ADHD, and none of them work in straight lines…this - I like!  I love the challenge of taking my need for straight lines and letting go to see the curves in life (and business).  It keeps me on my toes and challenges me to keep learning.

So, there it is again: the lessons of the Louvre: Letting Go. Finding New Solutions.  Something we can all embrace – if what you’re doing isn’t working out for you, let go, and open yourself up to new ways of doing things. 

And…if you’re going to make a map, make it clear and useable. Please.

The last thing I (re)discovered in Paris…there’s actually another thing that drives me more insane than illogical maps: unnecessary roadblocks. 

Disneyland Paris was FULL of “created” roadblocks and diversions to get people moving in one direction or the other.  If there was a clear path to a ride in the morning, chances are that it was blocked or barricaded later that day. So annoying!  Why the unnecessary barricades? Now I actually get it…they’re diverting the crowds, eliminating (or reducing) the need for staff, and likely trying to get us tourists to spend money/time in other parts of the park.  Still, annoying.

This has made me wonder what things we do as business owners that make sense for the business but create unnecessary roadblocks for our customers or clients.  I’m sure I’ve done (or will do) some things that have frustrated some.  It’s not to say that causing a few annoyances isn’t worth it (the customer isn’t ALWAYS right!), but it is worth a pregnant pause to make sure it is.

Recently I started using a new client portal.  From a business perspective it was glorious: it replaced two other software systems we were using, it provided a cleaner way to get responses and documents from our clients, it integrated both internal and client communications, and eliminated the need for personal phone use among the team.  So many checks in the boxes!  Chances are that some clients were annoyed with this change.  They may not like the platform, prefer texting or emailing, and like the spreadsheets we used to send.  I had to consider all the angles before deciding to make the change and hope to ease any concerns and manage the change.

Creating processes – new or not – is critical to growing your business, and keeping yourself sane. When putting these together its important that we make sure we’re looking at things from EVERYONE’s perspective – yours, your teams’, your clients’ – and make sure the systems you put in place work for everyone.

I’m sure there’s other things I took away from Paris, but that’s what I’ve got for now.  I think the jet lag is still working its (black) magic on me.  Regardless, what a trip; what an experience; and what a wonderful reminder of what’s important in all the chaos of entrepreneurship.