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I'd like to start this article with a test …

What do you get when you cross a Northern Canadian male, a 4x4 truck and heavy rain?

You guessed it! … Mud Bogging!!!!

That is how I spent my morning. My husband's new truck was too shinny, so he felt he had to get it dirty again just so he could wash it for fourth time this week.

Of course, I won't say no to adventure so I hung up my leather coat and pulled out my bush jacket. Put away my fashion footwear and pulled on my rubber boots.

Then we hit trails! I bit my tongue, possibly dislocated a shoulder and lost my sunglasses, whole time yelling, "Yahooooo!"

We made it home in one piece but I think our mechanic is going to make some real easy money in next couple of days. :0)

What does this have to do with business you ask? It's called balance … and if you don't have balance, work and business are a whole lot tougher and a lot less fun.

This week I created a rather enlightening assignment for myself. My coach and I were discussing importance of knowing what kind of an image we portray to world.

How we think others see us and how we are actually perceived may be worlds apart.

Being a successful business owner, or achieving success in any endeavor, has a strong connection to how others regard us.

Building a solid, successful business is highly dependent on relationships we build with our clients and customers.

You can provide a top quality product or service, but if a potential buyer does not feel comfortable with you or a sense of trust or caring on your part, it doesn't matter how good your product is.

In order to measure how I was portraying myself to others, I created a questionnaire and distributed it via e-mail to my family members, friends, peer coaches, clients, and acquaintances.

I asked for feedback from people I have known for only a few weeks, and some who have known me for years.

I wanted to capture a good cross-section that would cover many different relationships over varying time periods.

I asked them to list for me first five words or images that come to mind when they hear name, Laurie Hayes.

Last week I had opportunity to speak at Lumbermen's Merchandising Corp. annual sales meeting in Dallas. The meetings were held at Dallas Convention Center and hotel we stayed at was Hyatt Regency at Reunion.

The first night I had dinner at Centennial Café Restaurant on second floor of hotel. The food was good and service, I mean server, was outstanding.

It was a slow night and Abdul was covering one half of tables in restaurant. Here are some of my observations:

1. Abdul was always smiling.

2. He was energetic.

3. He walked fast and with purpose.

4. As soon as I was seated at table he asked me for my drink order.

5. Two minutes later - it was there.

6. He wrote down my order which included some special diet requests.

7. It took four minutes for bread to be served. The meal was delivered exactly how I ordered it.

8. When it was time, plates were removed quickly and quietly.

9. He was there when you needed him and not when you didn't.

I went back to same restaurant next night. This time however, place was really hopping. I asked for a table with a light, so I could finish a good novel I was reading.

The hostess put me at a table with lots of light and it was right next to reception podium, where she greeted all customers. She didn't move or walk fast.

She pointed to my new server who immediately disappeared into kitchen. I never did see him for rest of evening - let me explain.