"Vistage exposed me to a higher level of business."

Some say, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Others believe, "Out of sight, out of mind." Which expression do you think is true? I wondered myself as I looked again at my calendar in disbelief. One of the most important trade show events I attend all year was scheduled to take place on the same day as my monthly Vistage group meeting.

Say it ain't so.

Since I joined Vistage, now, almost two years ago, I never, ever, never, ever, never ever miss a meeting. They're too valuable to skip. But this trade show often generates an entire quarter's worth of business for my company so, as much as I didn't want to miss a Vistage meeting, I had to. For once.

Well, kind of.

I'm sure like me, every month you have countless decisions you're unsure about, from how to handle employee benefits to dealing with new competition. By the end of the month, we all can feel adrift in a sea of issues that need to be addressed.

For me, Vistage is like a lighthouse. I rely on it every month to be there for me - to guide me safely and securely from the rough water that is business, to the shore. And this month was no exception. I had a lot on my mind.

The ‘ol Vistage lighthouse was there ready to guide me in. Yet, I was sailing right by the harbor. It wasn't just my own issues I would miss having the opportunity to discuss. I wondered what the latest developments were with my fellow Vistage members. Since we all work to help each other, we all feel invested in each other's outcomes. The camaraderie among Vistage members is quite special.

I was at the trade show no more than a few minutes when I had a brilliant idea. I could email my issue and have my group members discuss it in absentia. It's no substitute for being there (And I think this might have been a first for Vistage) but as a one time exception, it was the best idea I could think of.

I can't go a WHOLE MONTH without Vistage!

The trade show ended and I returned exhausted. Yet I perked right up when I listened to the voicemail from my chair saying my CD was ready. (One of the great things about Vistage is that your Group Chair records what you bring up at the meetings on CD if you request it.) He volunteered to mail it to me but there was no way I could wait that long. I picked it up and slid it in my car's CD player on my way home.

Instantly, I felt the weight start to drop off my shoulders. The questions I had, the issues that were troubling me, were all being addressed and answered insightfully and ingeniously by my fellow group members. For me "out of site" did not mean "out of mind." Not even close.

The insight I received was fantastic. I got feedback on a particular initiative I was unsure about pursuing and even got some advice on what to name it. Each member weighed in and, at the end of the CD, I had clear consensus from the group on how I should proceed.

I had lunch a few weeks ago with someone who, before retiring, ran one of the largest companies in all of Florida. He told me he spent 30 years not knowing how sleep deprived he was until he retired and realized what it felt like to have a good night's sleep on a consistent basis. I feel that principle holds true in regards to Vistage, as well.

If you're not a Vistage member, you really don't know what you're missing. Conversely, if you join, (which I wholeheartedly recommend) it's only then that you'll finally realize what it's like to be able to make decisions at a whole different level. Just as this veteran CEO's advice was not to wait 30 years to realize you've lived your whole life sleep deprived, my advice is don't wait 30 years to realize how deprived you are of the benefits only Vistage can offer. In fact, don't wait another day. It's definitely worth your while to talk to a chair to see if Vistage is a good fit for you.

Absence may make the heart grow fonder but so long as I can help it, when it comes to Vistage meetings, I never want to be absent again. And by the way, this is the absolute truth, if the trade show conflicts with Vistage next year, I'm sending someone from my staff. This CEO's time is better spent with Vistage.

Until next month!

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