Priorities

October 30th, 2008

Today I sat in a room with a group of men bragging about their blog rankings. Honestly, if I didn’t have to pick up a pack of diapers, take my daughter to the doctor with another ear infection, interview babysitters, and finish a marketing plan for a client presentation, I would just love to worry about where my little journal ranks amongst the estimated 10 million others.

In fact there are many things I would love to worry about – how to drop a few pounds, world peace, and finishing a well-intentioned baby scrapbook for my daughter who just turned five. But I often seem caught in this cycle of worrying about survival. Making sure my kids are fed dinner somehow makes it to the top of my priority list every night!

Earlier this week I had lunch with a new friend who is my age and admitted that she wasn’t sure she really wanted to have children. She loves her career and isn’t sure that she wants kids. I respect that decision as much as I respect all my great friends who work (so hard!) at home every single day.

The truth is – regardless of our choices on children and working, we all must make choices that reflect our priorities. When I put my computer down to play a board game with my daughter, it reflects my priorities. When I spent a little extra time putting finishing touches on a client project, it reflects my priorities. When I push aside the tax report pile on my desk to take a call from a friend in crisis, it reflects my priorities. And while I want to be everything to everybody, I can’t. There are days that simply meeting the survival needs of my family is a major accomplishment.

Don’t get me wrong – I love technology and am fascinated by the way social media continues to change the way we communicate. There are many opportunities to reach people with whom we might otherwise never come in contact.

But as long as I know where my priorities lie, I will never have to feel like a lesser human because my blog ranks lower than yours.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 30th, 2008 at 8:33 pm and is filed under balance, family, work. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Ruth Drury

    This is absolutely awesome! As I read your thoughts tonight and think about your life, I am reminded that the most important investment I ever made or ever will make was in the lives of you and your sister & brother. I pray you will live to be as proud of your children as I am of mine! You are daily writing your legacy.

  • Billy Williams

    Bravo Shannon – Great post of very wise one made even sweeter by your moms comment. I look forward to reading more.

  • http://www.jogglebug.com Ann Cameron Troy

    Hey Shannon: Well, from one busy mom to another, your words are well spoken. I find myself laughing inside, while talking to you today, that my littlest one is in the background telling me “she’s ready to go!”. As I know you understand, I sometimes find that the different personalities I deal with as a CEO and a mom conflict. Until my second daughter was born, I hadn’t taken stock in just how precious the time we spend with them is. Since she was born however, I have changed my priorities to refect this new attitude. So, there are times that I can’t have that meeting or go to that dinner because of those priorities. The way I figure it is that no one ever says on their death bed, “Man, I wish I would have worked more.” My family is only second to God and then work has to come on down the list. Thank you for sharing your priorities and putting it so gracefully.

  • Tanya

    Hey sweet friend. I loved reading this. And, your blog has got to be better than mine since I posted one entry in October 2007 and have abandoned it ever since!!! I guilt myself for not having Rylee’s babybook started or any of Blake’s childhood memories in photobooks, but when I sit down to do any of it, I totally get sidetracked!!! So, for now I will quit nosing around in people’s pictures on Facebook and go play a game with the kids!

  • Brenda

    I read this post with a tinge of regret. My child is now grown and as a working mom I don’t think I was as tuned in to those moments as much as I should have been. I’m glad you are trying to recognize them and make the most of them now, while yours are still under your care. Very wise post, Shannon.

  • Kim Dettwiller

    I am impressed that you HAVE a blog. And I am glad I took the time to read it