When Your Mind Is Fried ...

When Your Mind Is Fried ...


The Daily routine in my business isn't routine or boring; it can't be when your business is helping others to solve a problem or be more successful. Simply put, my business is helping others to succeed, I never tire of doing it, but there are times when it seems as though I'm in a thick fog, unable to think straight and sort things out. Thursday developed into one of those times. The end of two weeks of push, push, push. Amy said, "you're getting grumpy for no reason" as I carried the trash to the garage.

I looked at Betsy III, my Harley, cleaned her windshield, checked her oil, and tires and made a decision. "You took a long time to put the garbage in the big black can. How long and where?" "The mountain loop, about five hours, I'll leave at six and be back by noon before the heat is too great here in the valley." "Good."

The next morning I headed north on interstate 17. Traffic was medium for the first forty miles, then thinned out to light density. I was comfortable driving at 65, only exceeded 70 once, the temperature dropped as we climbed. At Camp Verde I turned east on state road 260 and climbed to the high desert plateau. There were almost no other vehicles on the road.

The ancient junipers are spaced as if by a landscape architect, with low grass between, the air was cool, wonderful. Most important, the road is curvy enough to prevent thinking about work, all you can do is enjoy the ride at 50 or 55. About five miles before you reach the junction with state road 87, you are in tall pine forest that fills the air with its scent. It was a beautiful drive. From Strawberry, through Pine and into Payson you mind your driving on the narrow two-lane mountain road. The last leg down from Payson, is two lanes each direction, really two one-way roads, with mountain curves that demand your attention as you descend into the hot Phoenix valley. Five hours, 230 miles, alone on Betsy III brought me back to normal: It was a wonderful thing.

A client recently said, "my mind is fried" to describe her mental state after a week that had too much effort divided between too many tasks, with no end in sight for any of them. I thought that was a pretty neat description for a condition that seems to make me useless for anything but making mistakes.

When you are in a thick fog and your mind is fried, get out alone where you cannot think about your business, doing something you really like. This drive, with the windows open or the top down will work almost as well as Betsy III. There has to be a similar one where you live...do it!

Wes Zimmerman

PS: I am planning to ride Betsy for "Rip's BAD Ride - Arizona III" and may have a booth to sell my book "The Perception of a Difference."

Will you be there?

Rip's B.A.D Ride—Bikers Against Diabetes—is a motorcycle fund-raising ride and family festival of the American Diabetes Association. This event unites the biker nation in the fight against diabetes with a full day of great riding, big entertainment, delicious food, lots of activities and a good vibe!

The B.A.D Ride was born ten years ago in Southern California. Rip Rose, a biker and photojournalist for Easyriders, wanted to bring the biker nation together in the fight against diabetes. Today, that dream is a reality.