It’s true.

When urgencies and deadlines rule your world, all else in life can float by without notice. I’ve been there. For YEARS I was there. An earthquake in Nepal? No kidding! My kid’s doctor bill is overdue? Oopsie. And, how old is my dog anyway??? I ask simply because I really don’t know. I’ve been too busy, buried within work trenches for the last decade to lift my gaze and see life passing me by.

And you might be doing the same stupid thing. So, stop it.

Today I had the unique opportunity of a photoshoot at a dear friend’s home. Once work was finished, my friend and I visited, reminiscing to a less stressful time. We laughed about antics of one particular young woman. She was full of life, humor and her greatest thrill was to stay up all night to watch the morning’s sunrise. Why? Just because she could. It made her breathe. It made her appreciate. She. Loved. Life.

This person? It was me a decade ago. Hey, I didn’t earn the nickname Woo-Hoo Sue for nothing, folks.

But what the heck happened to her? This was the question weighing and tugging deep within, while outwardly I laughed at the stories. Miss Woo-Hoo has been pretty suppressed.

Can you relate? Shouldn’t we all periodically work diligently for just eight hours and then stop? Period. Done. Put your time in, overachievers, and put the work uh-way. Buh-bye.

During how much of your day do you address urgencies? Most of it? If so, make a conscientious effort to be on the offensive more often. Otherwise, we’re consistently in a reactive mode. This happens when we’re always inundated with urgencies. And this, friends, is a stressful state of being.

The point? Don’t miss life. Organize your workday and take control. Be proactive. Prioritize. Finish the day’s work—then put it away. Find your personal joy. Chase it. Focus on it. Make yourself the first priority. It’s hard to do, fellow overachievers, but it CAN be done.

Don’t work yourself stupid. Instead of merely looking at life, really see what’s around you. After all, the dog is getting older. Bills are due. And life is happening all over the world. Slow down and enjoy being informed. And above all, appreciate the little things as they can emit the most profound effects.

Happy week, all. Life’s journey is unpredictable and all we truly control is our attitudes.

So, breathe. Then smile—as gratitude in its most genuine form is the most powerful antidote for acquired stupidity.