Near death experiences are way under rated. They are needed.

Today, I could have died. Not by choice, but through the disguised benefits of being an asthma chick.

I was on the tread mill, watching Bloomberg and running nowhere. Then, about 17 minutes into it, my breathing was getting very challenging. In fact, I could not get a full breath. Starting to slightly freak, I grabbed my dependable inhaler for a big puff. No relief. So I took another puff. Still no relief. I was officially freaking. Some healthcare professionals call this self induced, elevation of anxiety or a full blown panic attack. So, now I’ve got asthma and anxiety attacking me.

In an effort to continue living, I bolted out of the gym and jumped into the elevator. I live on the 7th floor. I was alone and even though I’m not religious, I started to pray. The bell dinged, the door opened I ran like a sprinter to my condo to get on my breathing machine. I grabbed the medicine box, pulled out a vial and damn! I noticed the box I thought had medication in it was all my empty vials. I was in a state of overdrive terror. I asked myself, “do I go to the ER? And risk sooner death, because I don’t even know how to get there? Or do I drive to my doctors office and just bust in?” I chose the latter. I drove like a NASCAR contender, and got there. Then find that there’s no parking. I thought, “do I risk being towed or risk living another day?” Since I value my life than more than my beemer, I pulled right up to the door, put on my emergency lights and ran like a faster sprinter. I encountered another elevator, so I said another prayer. I finally got to the office and beat on the glass window. I barely uttered, “I can’t breathe at all.” I got their attention and was rushed into a small room. Within 45 seconds was on a nebulizer and breathing. I was also crying because I was a mental wreck and just had a near meeting with death once again. This has happened three times before in my life.

Here’s the take away for life and business.

Life-I know how to prevent this experience. Take my meds, don’t accept a cold as a light thing. For asthmatics it’s a time bomb growing and waiting to go off.

Business-The health of your business is the same. Don’t get lame or get light on key business sustaining activities.

Life-I am very grateful I lived to write a blog post this.

Business-Be grateful for things that are keeping your business moving forward, the good, bad and lessons.

Life-I wasted three hours of my day at the doctors. This time is gone forever.

Business-Not being laser focused and serious about healthy business priorities will cost, time money and opportunity.

Life-This was a wake up call. Don’t just beat yourself up for letting them happen, start taking preventative actions now.

Business-Near death experiences in business like: cash dry ups, bad major vendor selections, the wrong people can kill ya or your can gain the experience. Don’t dwell on the past beat yourself up for letting them happen, start taking actions now.

Life and business are not dress rehersals. Give it your best performance!

About the author: Karen Post, a.k.a. The Branding Diva® is an international authority on branding, marketing, and entrepreneurial matters. She is has been featured as a business expert in print publications; on TV, radio, and on Web channels. Karen authored the best-selling book Brain Tattoos, Creating Unique Brands That Stick in your Customers’ Minds and she is co-founder and CEO of Oddpodz.com, an idea engine for creative professionals and business. Her work has benefited large and small organizations in the United States and around the world.