The Donut Guy Blog

Today a friend told me “ how do you do it? It seems like a different city every time I talk to you.” In some ways this sounds like praise but in my mind it is a moment to take a break and really evaluate what the hell I’m doing. When that happens, you need to take a moment and think.

Let’s dial it back a bit in time. Since working in admissions began, I found myself traveling often. I excelled at going places and seeing new people everywhere. Admissions work naturally comes with chaos, but I took to it like a duck to water. As an extreme extrovert, I find myself getting energy everywhereI go with new people and experiences. That has always translated in the videos I make as well as getting to know people over the Internet. 

At the same time, I realize I had to become a creature of schedule. Without keeping a tight handle on where I was supposed to be at what times I would always find myself drifting or being late. Earlier in my professional and family life, I found myself regularly being the one referred to as the guy who is late. It always bothered me, but I really took control of it when entering enrollment work years ago. These days I have a finely tuned schedule, that also builds in extra time where I know things can go wrong. I know myself better and what it takes to keep me on time.

I’m also the type of person that likes to go everywhere and do everything. One of my college professors when I graduated quoted saying that if he let me volunteer for everything then I would. I like to see things get done and I like to be a part of things, so I also have a scheduled it’s rather full. Growing as a professional has meant that I had to learn what to say no to, what to delegate, and what it took for me to get tasks done in measured time. It’s never an easy feat, and outside of the office factors with family and kids mean you have to be fluid. Though I do not aim to be perfect,I do feel better about the systems I have created, and the level I communicate in order to make a schedule work.

With all this in mind this past weekend is a great example. I found myself for two days doing a wedding three hours from my house. I drove in the opposite direction to Massachusetts to pick up Scouts from Scout camp. I visited with my sister, niece and father four hours from home for a day. Are all of these easy? Not in the slightest. Do I feel good about all the things I did this weekend? 100%. I may be walking in on Monday morning tired but feeling fulfilled in many ways. 

My partner says I run on a different speed than others and that’s what allows it. I’m not good at taking a break and relaxing either, so it comes with downsides. Part of my journey is to continue growing, and to take time and bask in accomplishment. To have a slow down when it’s needed. I’ve been able to find more of that and it feels nice. This is a reminder of what my schedule is and looks like to those who don’t live it. I don’t think I’d have it any other way.