Of Course I’ll go……

Like most people in this world, a few days ago I woke up to a busy morning. I had 2 very early meetings, deadlines for my online business, a doctor’s appointment and I wanted to begin the draft of this blog post.

But then I received a text from my wife. She was spending much of the day with my young adult daughter (she just turned 21) helping her figure out various tasks like car maintenance, insurance, etc.  Or as some of the younger people say, “Adulting.”

The text simply stated that she was taking our daughter to breakfast and my daughter asked if I would be able to join them. My wife knew how busy I was and how much I needed to accomplish as I’m not shy in expressing myself 😉. But she also knows how important my daughter is to me and how huge it was for her to specifically ask if I could join them for breakfast.

My daughter, like many young adults, has had a few challenges over the past few years and is working through becoming a very productive young woman. I have not been able to see her as much because of her schedule and because of some of her commitments.

So, when she asked specifically if I could join them for breakfast after my meetings ended, there was no hesitation in my response. I called my wife and told her I would meet them at the restaurant. I immediately changed my schedule for the day not just to accommodate my daughter, because she is so much more than an accommodation, but to spend precious time with her and my wife. I’m not sure how you feel about it, but when one of my adult children chooses to spend his or her time with me, I do whatever I can to make that happen!

When I met them at the restaurant, we talked about her life, my business, my wife’s activities, her brothers, our grandchildren and many other things. There were no urgent issues or major things to discuss other than just being together. It was a very good breakfast and much more than just an investment in time. It was an investment in my relationship with my daughter.

I’m not going to lie and say I was not thinking about everything that I had to do during our breakfast. But those thoughts did not consume me. I knew I was going to be behind today and I knew I was going to need to find a way to make up the time I spent away. But I was not concerned.

When I got home, I jumped into “work mode” and started to accomplish some of the tasks that I needed to for the day. I rearranged my schedule and prioritized as I knew I would not be able to complete everything that I had planned.

One thing I did want to complete was to write the first draft of this blog post. I already had an idea and an outline in my head of what I wanted to communicate, but I shelved that idea for another day and found something much better to talk about. Mindfulness. I decided I was going to write about a simple breakfast with my daughter and my wife. A breakfast where no major life changes or issues were discussed and no problems or concerns had to be addressed. It was a meal fueled with connection to my daughter.

As I reminisce about the things we talked about that morning, I am so glad I made the decision to spend the time in a diner booth next to my wife across from my daughter just talking.

So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!

Running an online business often feels like a constant race against the clock. Emails need responses, products need updates, marketing campaigns need launching, and customer support issues demand attention. There’s always something pressing on the to-do list.

But sometimes, the most critical decisions aren’t about the tasks themselves.  They’re about timing, focus, and knowing when to shift your priorities.

Just as I chose to invest time with my daughter and wife, online business owners must recognize moments when immediate attention to a customer or an important opportunity is more valuable than sticking rigidly to a preplanned schedule. It’s not just about flexibility, it’s about maximizing impact. Being able to reprioritize based on what truly matters at the moment can transform both relationships and business outcomes.

Understanding when to adjust your schedule isn’t easy. It requires awareness, presence, and the discipline to assess what is genuinely urgent versus what merely seems urgent. By learning to evaluate the importance of each moment, you’re not only managing time, you’re managing trust, satisfaction, and the long-term growth of your business.

Here are five very specific reasons to consider reprioritizing your day and the benefits of each.

1. Responding to high-priority customer needs immediately
   Benefit: Builds trust and loyalty, showing your customers they are valued and that you are responsive. Quick attention can prevent issues from escalating and often results in repeat business.
2. Seizing unexpected opportunities
   Benefit: Flexibility allows you to capitalize on time-sensitive deals that can drive growth. Missing these windows could mean lost potential that rigid schedules cannot recover.
3. Improving overall productivity and focus
   Benefit: By addressing the most impactful tasks first, even if they weren’t on the original plan, you ensure your energy and attention are applied where they matter most. This reduces wasted effort and increases efficiency.
4. Strengthening professional relationships
   Benefit: Being available when someone needs your guidance or attention strengthens relationships with clients, partners, or team members. People remember when you make time for them during critical moments.
5. Reducing stress and avoiding burnout
   Benefit: Rigid schedules can create unnecessary pressure. Reprioritizing allows you to adjust expectations realistically, which keeps your workflow manageable and your mental health intact.

In the end, just like I did at breakfast, it’s about choosing what really matters in the moment. Sometimes, those critical moments are obvious, like a customer needing help or a team member asking for guidance. Other times, they may be subtler, like an opportunity to connect that could pay off in unexpected ways.

Reprioritizing doesn’t mean abandoning your plans, it means being strategic about how you allocate your time. It’s about making choices that serve your goals and the people you serve most. When done intentionally, it allows you to create a balance where both business and personal life can thrive.

So next time you’re staring at a long to-do list or an overflowing inbox, pause. Ask yourself, “What truly matters right now?” Make the call, adjust your schedule, and give your attention to what has the greatest impact. You might be surprised at how much progress and connection you can achieve when you make those choices.

Take a moment today to review your schedule. Identify one task or interaction that could be reprioritized to benefit a customer or your business in a meaningful way. Then, take action and notice the difference it makes. Your customers, your business, and yes, even your relationships will thank you.

Now that I’m just about caught up with some of the work I plan to do today, I think I’ll take a few minutes to go down and just sit with my wife and bug, err I mean, connect and collaborate with her. 😊

“What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” – Steve Jobs

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

I tried to prioritize my day, but my couch kept moving itself to the top of the list.

I told my brain to focus. My brain said, “Absolutely,” and proceeded to think about tacos.

Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!

 

 

 

 

**If you are curious about this process and wish to know more about an affiliate marketing business, please subscribe to my newsletter here to learn more.  And please continue following my blog.  My hope is not only to create the freedom I so long for but pass on what I have learned to others who have similar aspirations.