Comments

Well, it is really nice to have you back. Yes, blogging can be very time consuming and it takes (a lot of) time to write regularly and do it well, as you have done for a long time. Best wishes to you and your colleagues who have been writing here for the last weeks and making this site one the best (if not best) on the web.

SFJ

Posted by SFJ at May 10, 2005 8:35 AM

SFJ - my sentiments exactly.

Posted by Michael from UK at May 10, 2005 8:40 AM

Tom - maybe find some software that can take massive blog production and mix it into a book like format - that way the genius of new ideas is captured / formatted / organized - and then shared for mutual profit - photos could be added of travel locales to add emphasis - steal this idea!

Posted by Sean at May 10, 2005 8:49 AM

Sometimes it is necessary to withdraw for a time and have a little peace and quiet in which to gather our thoughts. We all need that, but on the whole, I agree with your overall philosophy about living life to the full and I try to keep in mind the words of the 17th century author, Richard Cumberland:

"It is better to wear out than to rust out."

Noel

Posted by Noel Guinane at May 10, 2005 9:07 AM

...but some people can ONLY run at 100 miles an hour...

Here is my challenge - having recently seen ya in London, my bet is you'll be bored in about 5 mins flat! Prove me wrong! Best of luck with the new balance! ;)

Posted by Freddie Daniells at May 10, 2005 9:13 AM

PS Good to have ya back - it wasn't the same etc etc

Posted by Freddie Daniells at May 10, 2005 9:18 AM

Great wisdom here. Good to have you back whenever it works for YOU.

Posted by Halley at May 10, 2005 9:26 AM

I completely understand. Blogging raises everyone's expectations. They expect something new every day. It may sound easy to throw post a quick blog but it isn't. It's like writing a letter. You have to think about what you want to say, edit it, re-edit it, then post it. And that takes far more time than expected.

Relax Tom. Enjoy your life. I'm patient.

Posted by Ryan Taylor at May 10, 2005 9:57 AM

Interesting. Just this morning while reading Neal Roese's book "If Only - how to turn regret into opportunity" about the "surprising value of blogging". This psychologist, of a Martin Seligman and Barry Scwartz genre, suggests that blogging may be good for your health. He mentions research that simply expressing emotions, even by simply writing them down on paper, can have positive health consequences. Blogging, it seems, for some people makes journalling that much more simple and enjoyable. Still even too much of a good thing can be a bad thing!

Posted by Helen at May 10, 2005 10:01 AM

SFJ and Michael,
Thank you very, very much for the high regard!!!

Thanks from Tom, thanks from me, thanks from (and to) all the tompeterscompany associates who've contributed.

Posted by cathy at May 10, 2005 10:06 AM

That's all good Tom - ENJOY

Still, promise you won't stop thinking even if it takes some time out of your day. I'm sure we will all benefit from your quest for balance soon enough.

-bruce

Posted by Bruce DeBoer at May 10, 2005 10:11 AM

Good for you Tom! I'd rather have a small piece of you than none at all...

Posted by Dan at May 10, 2005 10:15 AM

Years ago, Leonard Cohen wrote a song - one of its couplets is:

We are locked into our suffering
And our pleasures are the seal

I am passionate about my work - and the suffering is a mindset - therefore minimal. Friends ask me: "don't you get tired of global traveling?" and I say "no" - if I were a pianist and asked to play Carnegie Hall, would I say "it's too much trouble getting there?" I think not.

While there is certainly a new "grind" to travel thanks to uninvited security issues and while being away from loved ones is a huge price, I can only recommend the attempt to enjoy our pleasures and conquer the suffering with the weapon of attitude. (I know easier said than done but a worthy pursuit.) The set of our sail can make an airport screening humorous rather than tortuous... "what are the chances that the little old lady being wanded is carring explosives" - that's funny (sad, but funny)

So as we all "travel safely" let's not forget to fasten our attitude belts firmly around our minds in case of psychological turbulence.

Posted by Gerry Riskin at May 10, 2005 10:20 AM

I think Tom's haitus from blogging is a great example for all of us. R&R is an important part of keeping lively.

And hey, according to the Bible even God rested on the 7th day, so it's probably alright for us to do so as well.

Posted by Dan at May 10, 2005 10:22 AM

Nobody ever lay on their deathbed and said, "Gosh, I wish I'd spent more time in the office."

Posted by DougGreen at May 10, 2005 10:43 AM

In the UK there is a lot of talk about work life balance to partially describe Tom's frenetic activity.

For me this suggests an even more hectic life as it seems, at least from the various articles on it, that people are already experiencing a busy work schedule, and then plan in another task - the busy non work schedule - eg go to cinema twice a month, phone friends, finish early on Friday etc.

The term "work life BALANCE" suggests someone standing across the middle of a seesaw - no doubt getting dizzy, and in some cases falling off!

I prefer to reframe as "Work life INTEGRATION" - ie it is dealt with as a congruent mix which generates the time for recharge and refreshment - and represents the holistic approach.

Posted by Steve Gorton at May 10, 2005 10:54 AM

Thanks Dan for the spiritual message! Dr. Tom - I volunteer to be a free fitness consultant - marathons, triathlons, ultimate fitness - your choice.

Posted by Brad at May 10, 2005 10:54 AM

Tom,

Take all the time you need to enjoy that farm of yours. You definately desire it. I would rather have you slow down now if it keeps you here with us for the long run (i.e. Peter Drucker). I also think "time away from the grind" tends to help people come up with some of their best thoughts. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future!

Posted by JeffP at May 10, 2005 11:18 AM

Tom - Best of luck with your quest for more balance. If you stopped writing today what you've given us all already would be enough knowledge/thoughts/mental mindslaps for a lifetime.

My question is this though (and not even in reference to Tom). Are some people so hardwired that the only "balance" they have is 1,000,000 miles per hour with their hair on fire?

Poor analogy maybe but it's kind of like an elite car - you wear it out faster holding it back then you do opening it up full throttle. If "x" part of your life is such a hard wired part of you can you ever do "a little less" or does it have to be all or nothing?

I quess to ask it in another way - For some people can balance only be found in a state of "unbalance"??

Posted by steve at May 10, 2005 11:18 AM

Tom, it is just great to know that you are participating in your blog, and to know about your plans. I constantly learn from your example and energy. Your communication makes a difference, and we only need a smile once in a while.

Tom, you Frenetically changed the world, you created an army with your example, and now your are taking the time to enjoy it.

The challenge to me is how to do the same every day at 38, 48, 58, 68 ......

Thanks for your time and your energy.

Luis

Posted by Luis at May 10, 2005 11:38 AM

Re-assessing work and life balance is wonderful Tom - becoming a gandfather on April 16 did it for me.

At 52 I still want to make a difference of course.

When I touched little Sebastian - my first grandson - for the first time I realised here was the continuation of my blood line and I re-assessed things. I want to see him grown up! I have so much to share with him!

Of course I still want to make a difference - that will never change - but real life events have a habit of making it easy to re-evaluate one's priorities!

Take care Tom and enjoy the farm

Trevor

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 10, 2005 12:32 PM

Growing up on a farm, I am not so sure that it will be less work. But, the serenity is wonderful. Good Luck.

Posted by RTodd at May 10, 2005 3:44 PM

Hey Tom,

I was wondering how this was gonna work. Hell, I could not keep up with your blogs alone, let alone all the rest of the your community.

So for the time being I recommend that you sit back and ponder a poem from our Former US Poet Laureate, Billy Collins.

Flames

Smokey the Bear heads
into the autumn woods
with a red can of gasoline
and a box of wooden matches.

His ranger's hat is cocked
at a disturbing angle.

His brown fur gleams
under the high sun
as his paws, the size
of catcher's mitts,
crackle into the distance.

He is sick of dispensing
warnings to the careless,
the half-wit camper,
the dumbbell hiker.

He is going to show them
how a professional does it.

--Billy Collins

Posted by Rick Kennedy at May 10, 2005 4:00 PM

Hey! Who kidnapped Tom and replaced him with Steven Covey? (JK) Good for you Tom, enjoy those that are important to you first. Have you noticed we don't tend to go anywhere even when we don't hear from you for awhile?

Posted by Greg at May 10, 2005 5:32 PM

Tom - it is great to have you back. I echo many of the sentiments here in that I too wondered how you could keep the pace. I know you disdain the word "balance" but I think only in the traditional sense of balance being defined as a static state with equal portions. Work/life balance is dynamic and at times it skews 90/10 or more. I'm sure many others join me in thanking you for the special treat of being able to share so much of your daily thinking while you have been in the 90 percent blogging phase - it was stimulating for many of us!

To me, the struggle of finding our optimal state between making our mark on the world and being able to actually "be" where we are and truly appreciate it (ref. your Vermont farm) is as fascinating and challenging as resolving healthcare issues or reengineering management thinking.

I'm wondering how much you/we would benefit from sharing your thoughts on this issue from time to time. I, for one, would value your perspective.

Posted by walter white at May 10, 2005 5:35 PM

An old Tibetan saying is; "No one can guarantee you with any certainty that you will live to see tomorrow." For me that translates into this moment and all moments matter. Sometimes we move or are shoved into the next moment before the current exploration is completed. I only know of you through the media, but I feel you understand the power of living each moment completely and as Zollie said, "out loud". Enjoy the farm, milk a cow, collect some eggs and know that you have and will continue to be a promoter of possibilities.

Posted by Randy Reynolds at May 10, 2005 6:26 PM

I've had two great mentors in my life, an Englishman now living in San Antonio, and you Tom. I first saw you in Saratoga in the early 1990's and you changed my view of my business, of me leading that business and of a world filled with challenges and opportunities. I was fortunate to listen to you and Harold, and my little family business prospered throughout the 1990's and it continues so today.

And I still listen to you, through your writing, (Re-Imagine), your recommended readings, through your blogs and I was fortunate to attend the Summit last December. As you have created a new TPC to carry your vision (foresight) into the future, I too am making the changes to insure that my business continues and that I also have another life, to love my wife more and to hug the kids and grandkids a little more often too.

I was in Dubai when the Pope died. This great man of peace also struggled with his own failings as we learned from his will. He agonized over his worthiness and ability to fullfill his role in the church. He considered resigning as we now know. I found a sense of peace from his agonizing, not in his agony, but in the realization that even the pope needed to re-evaluate his life. I think it may be a time for you to re-evaluate as I have.

I have decided to share more of my life and my success, just as the pope shared his life and his death with so many people of the world. I have been a foot soldier for TP's message, in the running of my business and with my family and other business associates, friends and young people around the world, as I have shared the business Gospel of Tom. You have an army of us out there Tom. You don't have to worry about doing it alone. Find a quiet spot on a hill on the farm, and listen to us out there, as we make re-imagining the world a reality for many more people of the world.

Posted by Terry K at May 10, 2005 11:22 PM

Reflecting last night about your postion Tom I came across this whilst reading - it sums you up perfectly - take care.

'One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.'
Elbert Hubbard

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 11, 2005 3:53 AM

Nice to hear from you again Tom. Enjoy your 'new' life, and I hope that you will not forget all about your 'old' one ;-)

For me it has been a total pleasure to read your blog and you convinced me so two months ago I decided to launch mine (it's in Spanish, because the people that will read it at the moment are Spaniards). I love it.

It could sound strange, but Tom, I LOVE YOUR MIND!!!
I love to surf the ideas you and others propose; I like to navigate that sea.

My best regards

Posted by Enrique Martin Novo at May 11, 2005 5:53 AM

"I'll be around. From time to time ..."

:-) You know what I was thinking just after reading your thoughts today.

In Sanskrit:
"Yada yada hi dharmasya
Glanir bhavati bharata
Abhyutthanam adharmasya
Tadatmanam srjamy aham"

Translation reads:
"Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion - at that time I descend Myself." - Krishna to Arjuna -

The whole purpose of the mission of Bhagwat Gita incarnations is to arouse Krishna consciousness everywhere. I love this blog for the same reason - to get aroused and catch the vigorous horse of your mind.

Cheers Tom.

Posted by Vijay KN at May 11, 2005 7:42 AM

"I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry go round
I just had to let it go." - John Lennon

At least every once and a while. Right Tom.

Posted by Tom Asacker at May 11, 2005 8:17 AM

I remember when you wrote about your rejuvenating at a spa. Now this is yet another rejuvenation spa. Please enjoy it. And we are here always waiting for you to blog. And we have all the time for you, Tom, Because your returns are precious.As presious as you are! Have fun and enjoy!

Posted by ujwal pradhan at May 11, 2005 8:24 AM

- RIP -
www.tompeters.com

Posted by Dau at May 11, 2005 10:11 AM

Will you finish the 100 Success Tips? Please.

Posted by Stuart Jones at May 11, 2005 10:43 AM

Koom-by-friggin'-ya! Tom: I LOVE & RESPECT your work. THANK YOU for how it has helped me and others! But c'mon! If you grab on with both hands, then know what you are letting go! We talk about "opportunity cost" all the time in business. Why not more in our personal lives?! Tom, congratulations on realizing you're a mere mortal before you're too sick to get out of bed! Greg--love the Stephen Covey crack. But Covey preaches some wisdom (see First Things First & the P/PC Balance concept) that is unfortunately often unbelieved until around age...[62?]

I miss your posts, Tom, but am happy for you because it sounds like a move toward the truly important stuff--the individual people we care about, not the world or history books. As for the rest of you (us) dry your eyes and let's get serious about dealing "with the obvious," as Tom said, weird/misaligned behavior in our own lives! You know you have some!

Posted by Norm at May 11, 2005 1:18 PM

Perhaps you are saving the best stuff for last? All athletes pace themselves, even the great ones. We can wait for the next slam dunk, that goal in the dying seconds of a World Cup final, the 98 yards return, the home run with all runners out in the bottom of the 9th ... You have contributed so much already, given us much to think about. Take your time while the rest of us catch up!

Posted by Pat O'Connell at May 11, 2005 10:00 PM

The wealth of insight that I have gathered from your work to date, will inspire and sustain me for sometime to come.

Be Still. Enjoy.

Spend your time with those you love, in places you love, doing things that you love.

A wise man once passed along this quote.

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." James Dean

Thanks.

Posted by Tom Carroll at May 12, 2005 12:02 AM

Good for you

Posted by Craig Jones at May 13, 2005 12:27 PM

Tom, everyone, I’m thinking of starting a new organization. B.A. (Bloggers Anonymous). Five days and I’m hooked!

“Hello, my name is Noel and I am a compulsive blogger ...”

Posted by Noel Guinane at May 14, 2005 4:39 PM

Tom,
Good luck!
It takes guts to prioritize!
Jim

Posted by narrowriver at May 15, 2005 10:56 AM

Tom you have reached HISTORY already, you have done great JOBS, written sublime BOOKS, inspired thousand of PEOPLE, so the rest of your life is for TOM & FAMILY. To many more of your years and great inspirations that will come of that!

Posted by bertrand at May 17, 2005 3:27 AM

Tom, you've added a lot of value to more people than you'll likely ever know.

If you really want to...stop speaking, stop working and stop blogging. It's okay. You have written great pieces to encourage new thinking, you have spoken to thousands and offered up your knowledge and you have trained a great team of people who are regular contributors to your blog who add value and spark great conversations --- and that is a great legacy to leave the business world.

If we never hear from you again, we would miss you - however, the world will continue to turn, businesses will succeed and fail, new speakers will emerge and life continues. But, you have already made your mark on history, one that won't be ignored or forgotten.

Go enjoy the benefits of your hard work and know you've made a difference in many people's lives. Should you find yourself in Atlanta in the future and simply want to relax over a cup o' joe, give me a call. I have a great client on the north end of town where you would enjoy relaxing.

Posted by Tony May / Mayday Media at May 17, 2005 10:56 PM

Tom - you are in my thoughts this beautiful Sunday morning . I believe that when you inspire someone's passions and creativity, that person never forgets you and when they think about you they send electric energy back to you because of what you contributed to their lives. You have gone around the world affecting people in this manner so imagine the positive force that must surround your being. What you instilled in me .. the possibilities, the passions and creative thinking, I have imparted to my grandchildren. I remember attending a seminar of yours when I worked at AT&T and that evening I stayed up all night creating a new direction for my group, a new web site, making us specialists in what we did. I had the passion..and the enthusiasm to knock them dead in the morning. That was the kind of effect you had on me. In Dan Pink's new book, A Whole New Mind - he talks about the next age being the Conceptual Age...maybe you are preparing to be a story teller of a more personal level. I know the evening that I checked in and you talked about refreshing your soul at a spa, I was so touched by that. Touched by your honesty..Our personal journeys are the most important and the only way we can grow old with grace is knowing that we mattered while here on earth. You matter a thousand times over. I once sent your company an idea of a contest of sorts where people would send in how they were inspired by your book and you would pick a few and have them up to your farm for dinner. Of course, that was my dream..Your heart and soul in the past revolved around business - maybe now we will be privy to your heart and soul on a more personal level. Please stay in touch with all of us. I can't wait to see where Tom's journey in life takes him next...or what you will deem important. You are so loved. Suzanne

Posted by Suzanne at May 22, 2005 8:07 AM