Keeping "to-do" lists in perspective

In 2007, my husband received a once-in-a-lifetime bonus at work.  At the time we were living in our starter home with 2 small kids.  I was a stay-home mom.  Our savings were small, as we had only been married for a year when I had our first child and quit my job.  However, we were thinking ahead.  We had a financial planner, a retirement fund, a college fund.  We were diversified in the risks we were willing to take with the stock market.  Then this large sum of money came our way.  We didn't know what to do.

We knew we wanted to move to a home that would have higher resale value than our current home.  We wanted to live closer to our  church and Jason's work because the commutes to both were killing us.  (At the time I was at church almost 5 days a week for Bible study, Mother's Day Out, etc.)  But we didn't know when to make the move.

Thankfully, our financial planner has been a family friend of mine since I was 7 years old.  He's an amazingly wise and Godly man.  We tithed what we owed on the money.  We paid off debt. And then we asked, "Do we invest this money in a new home or in our stock portfolio?"  Bruce Robinson, our planner, said, "You don't make memories gathered around your portfolio.  Get the house that you want to raise your family in."

I'll never forget that advice.  He reminded us that saving and planning is important and necessary but experiences are what memories are made of.

I find myself following that same thought process at my job.

A strong work ethic is necessary.  To-do lists can't stay undone.  Phone calls must be returned.  Emails need to be sent.  Meetings have to be organized.  And all of this in a timely fashion.

I know a lot of people who define their day's success by their to-do lists being completed.  Some even like to name all they have accomplished in a minute-by-minute recap. They leave the job believing that they had a hard day's work...and maybe they did.  But my question to myself when I find myself falling into the trap of solely focusing on tasks is "Did I have an IMPACTFUL day's work?"

Much like memories aren't made by gathering around my stock portfolio, change and impact isn't created by checking off to-do lists.

Memories of "she loved me" and "I mattered to someone" come from pushing away from the computer and working a puzzle with a kid who needs a little extra one-on-one time.  "I felt heard" comes from having a conversation while you're playing Jenga with someone.

And-- yes-- there are times I feel my heart rate quicken as my mind wanders to the things I need to be doing instead of coloring a picture with a student, but I know that-- in that moment-- I'm where I need to be.

At the end of the day-- the end of the year-- the end of my career--- the end of my life, I want to be remembered by the people around me.  And not just for being productive.  Or organized.  Or good at crossing off checklists.  I want to be remembered for experiencing moments with people that made them happier.  I want to really live life and choose people over anything else.

Work ethic is important and necessary.  Experiences with people are where lasting impacts are made.

"I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends"

Love that song.  (I'm sure it has an actual name, but I've always called it "The Wonder Years" theme.)  And the lyrics certainly reflect this past week.

I will be heading back to work Monday after being home for a full week recovering from back surgery.  It's not easy for me to ask for help or depend on others.  I'm usually the one shouldering others' burdens, and I prefer it that way.  It's humbling to not be able to even put on socks without help.

Luckily, my friends came to the rescue!

I've not had to cook dinner once this week because they have brought me food.  I've been surprised with lunch and flowers. I've been inundated with texts and phone calls, checking to make sure I'm ok.  It's been a wonderful week of blessings for me.

I'm excited to get back in the swing of things, and -- because of my family and friends-- I will be refreshed when I get back to the office.