It’s been a great summer so far—totally chaotic, but great. I got back from a team workshop in Colorado the day after my kids’ school ended. Head still spinning from three weeks of work travel, I felt somewhat unceremoniously launched into summer: coordinating kiddos at two different camps, a travel baseball team, a swim team, and my son’s theater production on weekends.
I’ll admit—I’ve whined a bit about being over-scheduled. I even fell back into an old habit of listing all my to-dos to a friend (or three) just to feel validated in how ridiculously busy I was, though I’m not sure anyone wants to hear that.
But now, I’m returning to gratitude.
These past few weeks have been chaotic, no doubt. But they’ve also been full of fun “firsts” and meaningful moments. I’m working on staying focused—one day at a time, one carpool at a time, one moment of gratitude at a time. Because if I don’t, all I’ll think about is what I’m not getting done, how much I’m driving, and how my kids “own” the summer (which simply isn’t true).
When I slow down with gratitude, I think about:
- One of my kids (DeForest) jumping into our local swimming hole for the first time
- The other (Conrad) achieving personal bests at his swim meet
- DeForest dancing onstage in Oklahoma! in old-fashioned overalls alongside professional actors
- Conrad facing a 65-mile-an-hour pitch and feeling proud for making contact—even if it was a foul ball
- My sister’s daughter holding my son’s hand while they watched a movie after a long day in the sun
- My dad hosting us in his new home in Woodstock after leaving his house of 40 years in New Jersey
Amid all these incredible moments, I’m still serving my clients—which is another gift. When I pause with gratitude, I’m better able to step into someone else’s beautiful world. If I don’t practice this, I risk mentally getting sucked into the “I feel you” vortex wherein I’m too stuck in my own swirl to help them rise above theirs.
Gratitude and presence are two key ingredients in my work. Actually, they’re two key ingredients in your work, too.
So let me ask:
- Who would you be—in work and life—with more gratitude?
- How do you imagine you’d show up if you were less overwhelmed?
- How can you take charge of your summer plans so you feel more like a navigator and less like a reluctant passenger?
- Can you take a moment to revel in the spontaneity and opportunity of seasonal chaos?
- Are you stopping to appreciate the warm breezes, late nights, and ice cream–smeared faces?
We still have a month and a half of summer left before the kids are taken away on that yellow school bus. For some of you, it’s even less.
What do you want to soak up before it’s over? How do you want to look back and remember this summer?
Tell me your favorite summer moment so far—I’d love to hear it. And if you need a hand organizing the chaos, book your free consultation today and seize the season!
