A trip to Glasgow reminded me of something we should never forget.
Last week, I had the privilege of delivering my Productivity Breakthrough Masterclass to another wonderful Vistage group in Glasgow.
A big thank you to Vistage Chair Julie Grieve for inviting me to share some powerful productivity techniques with her members.
Jon Vincent, Principal and Chief Executive of Glasgow Clyde College, one of Scotland’s largest colleges, hosted us brilliantly.
The boardroom was the perfect setting for our interactive three-hour Masterclass.
The members, all successful business leaders, were enthusiastic, engaged and full of energy. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
But this trip wasn’t just about business. It reminded me of something far more important.
Life moves quickly. And if we’re not careful, the things that matter most can quietly slip down our list of priorities.
Turning a Business Trip Into Something Special
I could have travelled to Glasgow by train or flown.
Instead, I decided to drive and take my wife Julie with me.
Why?
Because it was an opportunity to spend some quality time together.
We booked three nights in Kendal, in the beautiful Lake District, to break up the journey and turn an ordinary business trip into a little adventure.
We even arranged an early hotel check-in so we could make the most of our first day and enjoy a lovely meal together.
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that create the happiest memories.
Preparation Creates Peace of Mind
The following morning, I drove to Glasgow while Julie stayed in Kendal to enjoy herself.
After checking into my hotel, I went straight to Glasgow Clyde College.
I’d arranged to visit the boardroom the day before my Masterclass to check everything.
The laptop. The presentation. The sound. The videos. The parking. The route.
Everything.
I never leave these things to chance.
That extra preparation lets me relax the night before, knowing I’ve done everything I can to make the next morning run smoothly.
On presentation days, my alarm goes off at 5 am.
But here’s the important bit.
I make sure I’m in bed by 9 pm, so I can get eight hours of sleep.
After I get up, I drive to a nearby coffee shop, where I spend time with my affirmations, visualise my Dream Board, and pray.
It’s how I prepare my mind for the day ahead.
By 8 am, I’m at the venue setting up and wide awake.
When members arrive around 8.30 am, I’m relaxed, energised and ready to chat.
By 9 am, I’m fully prepared, feeling confident and ready to deliver my Masterclass.
Good preparation doesn’t just improve performance. It gives you confidence and peace of mind.
The Best Part of the Trip
After a thoroughly enjoyable Masterclass and lunch with the members, I drove back to Kendal.
Julie had spent her time walking, shopping, relaxing and enjoying the hotel.
That evening, we shared a wonderful Indian curry.
When it was time to head home, we enjoyed the drive together, listening to music and audiobooks.
Nothing extravagant.
No expensive flights or luxury holiday.
Just a few days together, enjoying each other’s company.
And do you know what?
It was wonderful.
Three Key Learnings
1. Make time for what really matters.
Work will always be there. But opportunities to create special memories with the people we love shouldn’t be taken for granted.
2. Preparation creates confidence.
Taking time to plan and prepare reduces unnecessary stress and allows us to perform at our best.
3. Small changes can create wonderful experiences.
You don’t always need an expensive holiday. Sometimes simply doing something differently can turn an ordinary week into something memorable.
Thoughts for the Week
- Are you so busy making a living that you’re forgetting to make a life?
- What could you prepare today that would make tomorrow less stressful?
- What small change could you make this week to create a special memory with someone you love?
One Final Thought
As I get older, I’m increasingly aware of how quickly life passes.
Days become weeks. Weeks become months. And before we know it, another year has disappeared.
We keep telling ourselves we’ll do things when we’re less busy.
But what if that perfect time never comes?
Sometimes we need to stop waiting and start creating those moments.
My trip to Glasgow was a wonderful professional experience.
But sharing the journey with Julie turned a successful business trip into a special memory I’ll carry with me forever.
Because at the end of the day, life isn’t just about what we achieve.
It’s about the memories we create and the people we share them with.
Well, that’s it for this week.
Have a brilliant week ahead and keep believing in yourself.
Warm regards
John
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