The Wall Street Journal recently reported that 2.3% of workers tested positive for drug use, according to a survey by Quest Laboratories, the largest drug testing facility in the country.

As marijuana becomes legal in more states for medical reasons or simply recreation, the reality is that usage will likely increase. The study indicated a 10% growth in workers who tested positive to drugs over the last year. If the sample predicts a 10% a year increase in the years to come, the problem will clearly intensify.

I believe that drugs of any kind should be prohibited from the workplace. Businesses will benefit by instituting a zero-tolerance policy. While marijuana may be legal at state levels, there are still federal laws against marijuana usage. Additionally, I have never seen anybody’s work improve while on marijuana, alcohol, or other illegal substances.

Any business leader understands that running a business is a series of overcoming obstacles, one after another. In some instances, it’s physical challenges; other times it could be financial or family.  Paul wrote “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 2:9, ESV)

I was asked to consult with a young entrepreneur wanting to start an ice cream store.  “Bill” agreed to see me mostly because his father asked him to spend time with me. Bill was shocked by my first question, which was, “Do you like ice cream?”  Bill stared back and didn’t really answer. He countered my question by asking if I liked the money ice cream can make.

I told him that I don’t recommend starting a business for any other reason except serving customers. I explained that If you’re going to be in the ice cream business, you need to enjoy ice cream.  You must like making ice cream and ice cream-based treats.  You must enjoy the happy faces of your customers and their families when they enjoy your ice cream. You must love creating an experience they want to enjoy again.  The ice cream business is not about a methodology that will make your cash register ring.

Recently my wife rearranged our living room. I tend not to make such adjustments, but over a few weeks; I’ve come to appreciate the changes that improved flow and work over the previous room configuration. One of the changes was that she moved my chair from one side of the room to the other. For the first few days when I started walking toward my chair, I would instinctively go the wrong way. Even after six weeks, I caught myself taking two or three steps in the wrong direction. 

At the risk of dating myself, I bought my first house in 1975.  At the time I used the small, extra bedroom as my home office. At that point in my business life, I used the office mostly for personal tasks.  However, since my first home; I have always had a home office of some type. When I left my corporate position in the late 1990s, my home office became significantly more important.  On some days I would spend between eight to twelve hours in my office writing and talking to clients.

When I organize my office, I divide it into two categories:  what I need and what I want.