Years ago, I had just wrapped up an intense two-day consulting job in Southern California. I was sitting in my rental car, trying to drum up the energy to drive to the airport and catch a plane back to D.C.

Just then, my phone rang. It was my son, Andrew. He sensed a weariness in my voice and asked, “Whazzup?”

I told him, “I’m exhausted. I’ve been in an all-day consult. I need to take the red-eye and then fly back for a convention in two days. I’m so tired, I don’t even know how I’m going to get on this plane tonight.”

He said, “Mom, I don’t understand this. You’ve created a life where you can do pretty much anything you want, and you’re not taking advantage of it. Why don’t I book you a hotel? You can run your business from the road the next few days.”

An hour later, I was sleeping in the Laguna Beach Hotel with the sound of the ocean outside my window. 

How about you? Are you doing things you don’t want to do – simply because you think that’s what “should” be done? 

If so, take the action below to get clear on what happiness really means to you.