Even less likely, if you're self-employed, when was last time you said to yourself, "I need to kick back a bit here. I'm pushing way too hard. This 'free agent nation' gig is killing me. I think I'll take day off tomorrow and do nothing."

HA! Not very likely, right? Almost all of us have this built-in mental driver that says something like, "Sloth is a sin. Laziness is easy, downward path that leads away from growth, progress, and prosperity."

HOGWASH!

Properly applied, laziness does not have to be opposite of that constant, frenzied rushing around trying to get everything done now Now NOW! Keeping your nose to grindstone is surest way to prevent your creative imagination from producing great new ideas.

You don't have to be rich (however you define that) to take a day off and creatively loaf. Read this out loud: "If I slow down for an instant, it will all go down drain." Doesn't that sound ridiculous? You know in your gut that's just not true.

BACK OFF, VARMINT!

I started applying this concept when I was 'working' as an Intranet project manager for a major university. When 10-hour days weren't long enough to solve all problems and deal with all crises, I started working 12-hour days. When THAT wasn't enough, I started working weekends. When my wife told me she was thinking about leaving me because I was never home, I stopped working weekends. The crises didn't get solved, but they didn't get any worse either!

Then I started working at home on Wednesdays. I answered phone and sent emails, but I told people I wouldn't come in. Startlingly, crises in office conveniently waited for my return next day, or else people on my staff started solving some of them.

When economy was good and employees few, excuse was, "Why worry about customer service training? Demand is so high that if we tick-off a few customers, so what - there are more lined up at door. Average employee tenure is so brief, why should we train them so they can go work somewhere else?"

Now that economy is poor and training is one of first areas most companies cut, excuse is, "We are laying off employees - we can't justify expense of training."

Both indicate an arrogant disregard for both employees and customers. I have addressed shortcomings of first excuse in previous articles and newsletters. Permit me to briefly address second.