Seize the Moment: Making the Most of Leap Year’s Gift

20 years ago, I was in the hospital having our first child – Dylan.

Yes, he is a Leap Year baby.  This year we are celebrating his 5^th birthday – since he only has an actual birthday once every four years.

The cool thing is – once every four years we’re granted a rare gift—a leap year, gifting us an extra day. What are you going to do with yours? Same ole’ same ole’ or make it count?

We’re all too familiar with the relentless pace of our lives, where time slips through our fingers like sand. How many times have we all said, “If I just had one more day.”

Well, this year you do…today! It’s like finding a bonus level in a game, an unexpected opportunity to hit pause, recalibrate, and propel our businesses forward. So, what will you do with this precious extra day? Here are three transformative ways to make the most of it:

Reflect and Strategize:

In the hustle and bustle of daily operations, strategic thinking often takes a back seat. Use this day to pause and reflect on the bigger picture. Evaluate your business status, assess what’s working, and identify areas for improvement. Consider new opportunities and potential challenges on the horizon. Then, craft a roadmap for the upcoming months, setting clear objectives and actionable steps to achieve them. Remember, strategic planning is the compass that guides successful ventures.

Invest in Self-Development:

As busy entrepreneurs and professionals, investing in ourselves can easily fall by the wayside. Yet, personal growth is the cornerstone of professional success. Dedicate this extra day to enriching your skills and knowledge. Dive into that book you’ve been meaning to read, enroll in an online course to learn a new skill, or attend a workshop to sharpen your expertise. Cultivating your abilities not only enhances your value in the marketplace but also fuels innovation and creativity within your business.

At NBG we have wonderful opportunities for personal and professional growth. Consider the GROW program or plan to attend the SOS events (next one is on March 14).

Connect and Collaborate:

Amidst deadlines, meetings and running our businesses, nurturing relationships often gets relegated to the bottom of the to-do list. However, networking and collaboration are vital for business growth. Take advantage of this bonus day to reach out to industry peers, potential partners, or mentors. Schedule coffee meetings, arrange virtual brainstorming sessions, or commit to attending networking events. Cultivating meaningful connections not only expands your professional circle but also opens doors to new opportunities, insights, and collaborations.

Take a look at the NBG calendar of events and place them on your calendar, connect with NBG members in the portal, start or be a part of conversations in the Forums, get involved. Not an NBG member – make that investment today.  It is time.

A leap year’s extra day is not just an anomaly in the calendar but a valuable asset for entrepreneurs and professionals. Embrace this gift with intentionality and purpose. Whether it’s strategizing for success, investing in self-development, or fostering meaningful connections, seize the moment to propel your business forward. Remember, time is our most precious resource—use it wisely.