Go, go, go. That is the pace of world we live in. A century ago, life was less complex, more restful, operating at a slower pace and certainly more peaceful. Today, prescriptions for dealing with depression, anxiety, stress and other similar ailments are at record highs. The need for these medicines did not even exist just a short while ago. What has happened to us? When our operating pace begins to infringe on our health, we should learn how to step back and evaluate the road we are on before it is too late.

God rested on the seventh day. Obviously, God set an example that we should all observe as well. Do you feel that you may know something that He doesn't? Then why don't we rest, and take time to relax? Often it is while in the state of relaxation that we come up with our greatest thoughts, ideas, inventions and solutions to problems. I have noticed this on many occasions, especially while sleeping. I'll wake up and realize that my subconscious mind has been examining a certain problem while I slept and provided me with the solution when I awakened!

Often, we tend to think that we are too busy to take time for fun and relaxation. I submit that we need this time and that without it; we will ultimately reach a point of diminishing returns and simply burn out. As human beings, we are social creatures. We were designed for interaction with each other. We compete, cooperate, socialize, interact and love because we were designed to do so. If we work 60 70 hours per week, eliminating the weekend break and skipping vacations, we do not allow ourselves the necessary recharge that proper sleep, nutrition, relaxation, vacations and other personal time considerations afford us. Relaxation is not just for fun, it is necessary. If you don't believe that, you are simply kidding yourself and it will catch up with you sooner or later. You will soon become a person dependent upon sleep aids, gastro-intestinal and anxiety medicines, Excedrin and possible depression management drugs. Is that not too high a price for busy-ness?

Step back. Look at where you are. What is the cost of your current lifestyle? Is it a fair trade for those things that you do not possess? Have you sacrificed your health or your family for the sake of your career? No one, while lying on their death bed, would ever want to leave this world worrying about work or some aspect of their job. Most people would lament over the time that they squandered, the loved ones they ignored and the life that they might have had.

The good news is that it is not too late! It is never too late to change. Start right now. Put things in their proper perspective and prioritize the time you have available to you. Make proper time for sleep, as this rejuvenates you each day. When you work, work hard. Pour yourself in and maximize your output. At the end of the day, make your plan for the next day and then turn it off. Find something that you can get lost in, whether it is a sport, a cause, a leisure activity or activities and with equal passion as for work. Play hard too. Enjoy yourself and learn to relax. Make time for family and friends. Enjoy life. I suspect that these changes will make you even more productive when you work! It is a win-win for you.

Daniel Sitter

Daniel Sitter has been a student his entire life. He continues to assimilate and synthesize knowledge from dozens of sources and a wealth of personal experiences over a twenty five year period into material that he draws inspiration from. He has been fascinated by the workings of the human brain and various learning strategies in particular. He often ponders why it is that some people are more receptive to change, are more productive and earn substantially more than others, even within the same industry. He has observed that many people are frustrated that they find learning to be a difficult and tediously slow process and he seeks solutions to their dilemma.

The author has attended dozens of seminars presented by the foremost authorities on human performance, personal development, psychology, sales, family, manufacturing and business. He enjoys the viewpoints of others and has absorbed their accumulated knowledge at each event. He has read and listened to dozens of books and audio programs in a variety of disciplines. Fueled by an insatiable hunger for knowledge and personal development, Dan continues to apply the principles he has learned into all aspects of his life on a daily basis. The results are continuously evident.

Dan has a wealth of business, sales and marketing experience in the technical fields. He has made a career in the mechanical/electrical engineering industries as an automation/fluidpower specialist. He holds a BS degree from the University of Akron, but he is quick to point out that his real education actually began after his formal education had concluded. An advocate of continuing education, Dan is always feeding his mind with new material that can help him to be continuously growing beyond his current comfort zone. He has designed and written numerous industry newsletters, business and personal development articles, various marketing materials and has authored the popular, breakthrough e-book, Learning For Profit, which teaches principles for accelerated learning and personal growth.

His hobbies are guitars, music, Shotokan karate, computers and electronics. An avid musician, Dan has played in a number of bands over the years and has written and performed dozens of original songs.

A devoted family man, Dan has been married for 21 years, has teenage children, a dog and a cat. He enjoys working out, family dinners on Sunday, relaxing trips to the beach and eating spicy ethnic foo