So Many Hats

I heard Maria Shriver say years ago that she received this advice from her grandma..."You can do it all; you just can't do it all at once." I love that.

Most of us have dreams and desires for our lives. Many of us are juggling many hats and it can be challenging to pop them off and on in the course of a day. And perhaps we are attempting to wear too many hats at once.

I have had #seasons where I waited to pursue a dream or check an achievement off my list. We all need to identify our priorities and be realistic in the timing of our pursuits. Not now doesn't mean not ever. After all, life isn't a race to the finish, it's a #journey. Sometimes we need to #pace ourselves and not force one part of us to be in competition with another. Here are some of my reality checkpoints that help guide my life's pace:

1. I am always #mom. That means I reschedule meetings when my child is sick. I leave meetings or pause conversations to take the call from my child's school. My kids get to invade my office when they stop by and I strive to be home for dinner every night. I recognize that being a business owner enhances my motherhood and vice versa. I don't pretend these two identities are mutually exclusive. I have had to find a balance but never at the expense of being mom.

2. The degree had to wait. I started my masters right out of college but I was pursuing the wrong one. I stopped, worked, found a career I adore and then went back. I have learned there's no perfect time to get a degree and it's never too late. My graduate degree came later than I thought it would, but the timing ended up to be just right.

3. Relationships trump tasks. As a doer this has been difficult for me to remember. I see a goal and a task to be completed and I want to get 'er done. But in the scheme of life I value my tribe and that requires them to be prioritized. Deadlines get pushed back, projects don't get pursued and business may not grow as quickly as it might otherwise, but I prioritize time with my people and I make no apologies for that.

4. Sometimes we have to pause the cause. There will always be more missions that ignite my passion than what I can give energy to today. I cannot join every board or volunteer at every event. I try to be mindful of my energy level, my availability and how to prioritize the things that matter most. I choose my activities and pursuits wisely. I realize I'll have more time as the seasons of life change. Not now does not mean not ever.

My schedule is a constant adjustment. I am always re-evaluating where I spend my time and focus my efforts. I try to stay clear on my non-negotiables and what I value most. But as intentional I strive to be, I remain a work in progress.

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP

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