Just Do It…

Yesterday I read Sarah White’s post about priorities and turning 30.  And it reminded me of my life.  I’m a bit older, but I have not yet mastered the challenges Sarah’s working on.  I’m working on a start-up from my bedroom, I’m raising a pre-schooler, I’m trying to find a school for her as Boston has few options for schooling, my husband travels weekly-all week, and I need to stay healthy so I need to exercise. Her post also reminded of a commitment I made to Chris Hoyt, TheRecruiterGuy, to start blogging about the challenges of fitting in exercise.

Clearly my crazy life isn’t unique.  This is life in the US.  And to accomplish all of the above I am learning to say “no.”  It’s hard, it’s not in my nature, and there are times when I’m sure I’m hurting someone’s feelings.  But it’s the only way to keep all these balls in the air.

I have said no to conference invites that clearly would have helped my start-up because it’s hard to get overnight coverage for my little one.

I have said no to friends’ phone calls because I’m running late for pre-school and while my friends and I only get to talk during commute-time uninterrupted…it’s important to get to school.

I have been late to pre-school because I need to talk with my friends in the fleeting moments we have since we all face the same time/balance challenges.

I have forgone cable because I don’t have time to watch TV even though there are days when all you want to do is zone out with a good (or bad) “True Hollywood Story.”

I have said no to family outings/gatherings because work calls or my husband happens to be home for a change or my little one is sick.

I have said no to playing cars & trucks with my little one because of my start-up.

I have said no to working on my start-up to play cars and trucks with my little one.

I have said no to a fun night out because I want to sleep.

I have said no to sleep in order to remember that a fun night out can really be quite fun.

And of course, there are times I say no to exercise.  It’s easy to do.  Put it off until the next day…but you know what, then I feel worse.  I cannot live this life if my body and mind aren’t healthy.  And exercise keeps that on track…mostly.

So today I said no to some work t0-d0′s.  I needed to head to Yoga and sweat it out.  And then relax and be still and quiet for a bit.  It re-focused me and helped me prioritize the rest of my day.  Which includes a school open house, a much-needed talk with a good friend, more work, dinner with the little one, playtime and a promised TV time watching an episode of “Dinosaur Train.”

Hopefully I’ll also fit in a catch up call with my spouse and still get to bed at a reasonable hour to do it all again tomorrow.