Comments on: Life Really Is Too Short

By: Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend

Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:45:52 +0000

Niall, you’re willingness to work so hard is also a reflection of your commitment and your sense of responsibility to help you and your family live a better life. That’s not an excuse, but never be ashamed of your passion for your work.

I went down with cold, then flu, then severe lack of energy for about a week, just now climbing out of it. Operating at less than 50% for days. More like 10-20%. Sometimes, these things happen.

By: Niall Harbison

Niall Harbison — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:01:37 +0000

Cheers Tommy although you don’t really need to read too much in to it as you already put a lot of it into practice from what I see

By: Niall Harbison

Niall Harbison — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:00:44 +0000

Yeah I can imagine that losing somebody in the way that you lost your friend would be the hardest, never getting to say good bye or anything like that. Am sure it was very tough on your for a couple of years. Getting wrapped up in work is good and I still intend to do just that but like you say getting the balance right is the key!

By: TheInfoPreneur

TheInfoPreneur — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:51:12 +0000

Great Post Niall,

Life is a gift and every day we get a miracle.

Good post

By: Tommy Collison

Tommy Collison — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:30:32 +0000

Fantastic post N, with a great message!

By: John McLachlan

John McLachlan — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:17:23 +0000

Niall, thank you for sharing this. It is very critical to remember all the things you mention, all the time though “life” intrudes so easily. I lost my best friend in a plane crash in 1993 and as horrible as it was for me to come to terms with it at the time (and still is sometimes), I learned, like a tonne of bricks falling on me, that the most important thing in life is people and relationships.

I’m almost 50 years old now, and I’ve gone through periods where work completely wraps me up and though during those times, I was charged up by it, motivated and driven, I’d start to forget what else is important. It’s so easy to get caught up in the race and thrill, but it’s not everything.

Sounds like you had a gift given to you by the short, but serious illness. That’s a wonderful gift.

John

By: Niall Harbison

Niall Harbison — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:36:32 +0000

Cheers Joe. Really did take something like last week to make me sit up and take notice. I would have been there all during Xmas just glancing at my lap top at stupid stats and stuff that wouldn’t change anyway if it wasn’t for my new way of thinking! The problem is people like yourself and myself are in the trenches working on stuff day in day out and you just think it is so bloody important and really at times you are probably just being busy fools. Busy for the sake of it. A bit of stepping back and taking stock never did anybody any harm and the hunger you have when you come back is something else. I was watching a good interview with Alex Fergueson there the other day and he was saying a good holiday and constant breaks getting away from it all were crucial. Look at his success and you can’t really argue with it too much. Enjoy the time off yourself Joe and have a good one

By: Joe Lennon

Joe Lennon — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:08:48 +0000

A truly enlightening post Niall – well said. It can be difficult to get the work/life balance right, especially during the early years of a business, employment or opportunity. Of course, the problem is that you set your personal life to the side “temporarily” for short term productivity or growth, but it becomes increasingly difficult to bring this back. With growth comes new challenges and almost always, increased work loads and pressure – and of course, this usually means less time for your personal life. I’m very guilty of putting my personal life on hold while I try to move forward in my work, but I’m going to take your lead and take a break this Christmas

Have a great Christmas, and enjoy the time off!

By: Niall Harbison

Niall Harbison — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:56:53 +0000

Hehe funny how one of the best experiences of your life was a near fatal car crash Sounds like you have your priorities sorted now anyway

By: Niall Harbison

Niall Harbison — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:55:33 +0000

Ah you are a gentleman thanks for that The old movies are the best ones no doubt about that!

By: Niall Harbison

Niall Harbison — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:54:07 +0000

Yeah it can be really easy t just drift along and get all caught up in work sometimes and forget about the people who really matter alright!

By: Jamie Lawrence

Jamie Lawrence — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:42:03 +0000

Honestly, one of the best experiences in my life was a potentially-fatal car crash, 13 fractures, wheelchair for 2.5mths etc, all about 5 weeks before my daughter was born.

Nothing gives you clarity like children and a near-death experience.

By: Stephen Conmy

Stephen Conmy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:18:14 +0000

Well said Niall. Don’t forget to watch ‘It’s a wonderful life’, the black and white version. And Happy Christmas to all at SZ.

By: Henri

Henri — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:57:24 +0000

Awesome stuff, Niall. I love reading personal stuff. Maybe I’m just nosy but that’s me. I’m glad you got your priorities in order, it’s easy to lose focus, so we have to be reminded once in a while.