Whether you are an athlete, a business owner or a farmer, using the off season the right way is critical. Here are two things highly successful people do during the off season:

1) REST: Pro athletes know they have to use the off season to heal their bodies, rest from the relentless schedule of the on season, and do the right kind of training to keep their bodies in shape for what's coming. Farmers know their fields need to rest during the off season or they will slowly lose nutrients and stop producing. And business leaders that make it to the highest levels without hitting the wall and burning out in flames know they must use (or create) an off season to get off grid, power down and re-charge their internal batteries.

2) MAINTENANCE: Ask any farmer what they do during the off season and you'll hear a long list of sharpening blades, changing fluids and repairs. The same is true in your business. If you don't build in the time to repair broken processes, review performance, promote or replace team members, then you'll find yourself dealing with these things during the middle of the busy season or the big game.

"Not having an off season" is not okay. If there's not a natural off season in your business, you'll have to create mini-off seasons into your regular routing.

This isn't optional if you want to get to the next level without doing permanent damage to your relationships, your team and your profits. Call me.