Don't Waste the Good Days
Working to live > living to work
Listen here.
Last Thursday, I stood on the most iconic overlook in Arkansas with my wife of 34 years: Hawksbill Crag. It is the most photographed spot in Arkansas. Tim Ernst, a famed Arkansas photographer, has taken the best pictures of it. I’ve lived in this state my entire life and had never been there.
It was 65 degrees and sunny, the day after a spring rainstorm. We had the place almost to ourselves. The locals told us that weekends bring hundreds of people to this overlook. We pulled into the parking lot at 1:30 PM and counted five cars.
Susanna loves views and sunsets. She also loves sunrises, but I don’t think I’ll get her back here at 5 a.m. anytime soon (I can’t blame her. The girl loves her sleep!).
We stood on the Crag and took it all in. We swapped phones with a couple of hikers and got some great pictures. Then we started the hike back. It’s only 1.5 miles each way. However, we preceded this adventure with burgers and fries at the Low Gap Cafe in Jasper, which made it feel more like ten (it was so worth it).
I probably would not have taken a day like this five years ago. Heck, I might not have done it two years ago. For 31 years in corporate, taking advantage of a perfect Thursday to enjoy nature wasn’t an option. It was a workday. People were counting on me. I had stuff to get done.
I’ll share a memory I’m not proud of.
Years ago, on a family vacation at the beach, I’d get up before everyone else to answer emails. I told myself that my input was too important and my team needed me. I thought I was staying “caught up.”
Here’s what actually happened. I started my vacation day mentally transported back to work, while Susanna and Sarah were waking up, excited to get to the beach. And I left my poor team wondering why I’d gone on vacation if I was gonna be on my computer all morning (there’s another post on hiring great people you trust to get the work done without you, but I’ll leave that for another week).
I don’t share that story to beat myself up. We all make mistakes. I share it because if you’re reading this and you’re still in the season I was in, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
You’re “getting ahead.” You’re “staying close to the business.” You’re “making sure things don’t fall through the cracks.” This kind of mindset is expensive in the toll it exacts on your life.
I’m four months out of corporate now. I don’t have this season all figured out. But I see something more clearly than I could from inside the bubble of work: Thursdays like that don’t come back. Your work is important. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of giving away your best days.
I wonder what you're saying yes to at work this week that’s costing you memories that matter? Look at the weather. Pick a beautiful day. Take the PTO. Get outside with someone you love. Work will be there when you get back.
See you next Sunday.
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Thank you for awesome reminder about what really matters. My son is recuperating from surgery and I am blessed to work at a church that lets me work from home so I can help take care of my son. A few years ago this same church gave me flexible hours options to help care for my 93 year old mother.