As I was packing for our last big camping trip of the summer, I couldn’t help but reflect on everywhere my backpack with my computer and books go with me. It has almost become a second diaper bag and purse at this point. I have a spot in my office for it to be placed when I ‘m not using it, but very rarely is it actually there. There have been multiple times when I find myself questioning if doing all this schooling has been worth it, or if I am just spending my time and money on something that isn’t helping myself or my family. Then, I snap back to reality, and I remember that going to school and bettering myself in this way has been one of my favorite profession and career-related decisions. 

 

Since I graduated high school in 2017, my computer and backpack have seemed to become a part of who I am. I am constantly looking for new education opportunities, finding new courses and professional development to take, working on schoolwork, and more recently, continually working on and improving my two businesses - Innovative Leadership and Be.See.Believe. Although I continue to put in an endless number of late nights and hours of work on my computer, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything differently. The car rides with my computer have become normal, but it is also important to know and realize the boundary of when to step away from all the research and computer work.

 

With two little boys to chase around (plus a busy husband to try and keep track of), my days are full of chaos in the best way possible. I truly would not want to do anything else. Having a husband who has given me the opportunity to chase my dreams while getting to watch our boys grow up has been a true blessing. These are not things that I ever take for granted, and I am undoubtedly grateful that I am able to do the things I do. Making sure my three boys are taken care of, come home to a happy and healthy home, and watching them be successful in their own ways has been truly eye opening for me.

 

After chasing the boys all day, my nights aren’t filled with sleep and rest, but that’s okay. I am here to tell you that those things will come. Take the chances and go do whatever it is you have to do to chase your dreams. It’s hard. There is no doubt about that. There is no sugar-coating that there are times you will want to give up, throw your computer, and walk away altogether. Please don’t. Do yourself a favor and walk away for a little bit and do something to help yourself refresh. After you have taken a break, go back. Try again. Keep going. You will thank yourself when you begin to see all the little success adding up to create big changes. 

 

“Breakthrough moments are often the result of many previous actions, which build up the potential required to unleash a major change” (Clear, 2018, p. 20).

 

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits. AVERY.