There are only a few times per year that I make sure to say, “no” to all extras. Right now is one of those times. 

  • Can you assist at the university’s career fair this week? Sorry, no. 
  • Can you help us with the class’ spring party? Unfortunately not this time.
  • Are you able to do a briefing on spouses leaving the Air Force to become entrepreneurs? I’d love to, but unfortunately this time of year is too tricky.

Can I fit those things in? Yes. I probably can. Do I want to? Well, part of me does anyway. Should I? Absolutely not. For me there is no busier time of the year than the present.

These days, sun up to sun down is focused on getting our teams ready for the next competition, prepping rosters and final payments for our end-of-season events, proofing team photos, ordering end-of-season athlete gifts and planning out our banquet. 

But that’s not all…

I was ahead of the game this year, so my packet is already out for cheer, but I also run competitive tumbling and hip hop at my gym, so we’ve got two more packets to go until we’re fully released. We’re also answering the million-and-one questions that come along with a packet release as well as finishing our Coffee & Conversation meetings and setting the date for our Informational Meeting for next season.

But that’s not all…

We’re also marketing and registering for both full-day summer camp (child care) and our 11 specialty camps this summer. We also recently started offering a second birthday party option so we can run two parties at once in our gym because we were already booked out through mid-April with no available slots.

OK…that’s all…

Add to that the chaos of regular day-to-day life with teenagers (littler kids aren’t much easier, but their schedules can be more predictable at least), and on-boarding several new staff. 

I learned something a while back. It’s OK to say no. I need to say no right now to the things I don’t want to do. When it comes to the things I want to do, I have to choose very carefully. Sometimes I want to take on more, but I also realize the more I take on, the less time I have to bake bread with my 11 year old, the less time I have to stay an extra day of vacation, and the less time I have to give quality time to the people I love.

Don’t let guilt overtake you. Right now, take care of you. Sometimes taking care of your family means you’re taking care of yourself. You’ve got this. By July – I hope you’re enjoying your time sitting on a boat on the lake.

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