I have spent most of my adult life, defining my success and my self-worth by measuring how busy I am.

Rushing around the country.

Posting on social media from hotels, airports, stations, practices.

Getting up early and finishing late.

Pushing body, mind and spirit to the limits.

Developing a super-human reputation:

“I don’t know how you keep it up?”

This year I have changed (maybe because of that Island).

I’ve taken time off in each of the last three weeks to meet up with old friends just to catch up on news.

I’m slowing down.

In future…..

I’m going to define myself going forward by measuring how less busy I am than previous years.

The work will still get done.

But my primary motivation right now is to listen to the advice given to me by my genius personal coach Michael Myerscough:

“Is what I’m about to do going to increase or decrease the level of confusion and complexity in my life?”

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“These “letters” are the personal observations of me, Chris Barrow and are not intended to reflect the views of 7connections and its team members, they just give me permission to publish here on the basis that they can keep an eye on me, a bit like a mad relative at a wedding reception. I’m likely to upset the sensitive and outrage the sensible – if you fall into either of those camps then read at your peril.”