Three ways to rescue the last drops of summer (start with my Creamsicle recipe!)
For the record: I don’t hate school. However, I recently saw something mildly horrific: “Back to School Supplies”
My summer just started, and then WalMart had the gall to go back to school on me?! (Don’t they know we’re squeezing out the last few drops of sunshine?!)
Then Mr. Guilt attacked me in the grocery aisle. “What should I do with that list of things you wanted to do with the kids this summer? Maybe frame it as a reminder of your failure?”
What was I thinking? I aimed too high.
I guess next year, I won’t blink so I actually know July is happening. “Don’t mind the tape on my eyelids, I’m just trying to not miss summer.”
Ridiculous? Maybe not.
My summer doesn’t feel like a success, so I guess that’s what I’ll have to do.
Then again, what does success feel like?? Do I even know?
Do you know? Try writing it down in three sentences…
Successful summers have… Grilling Out? Trips to the park? Pooltime? Swept floors? – Nah! Structured activities? Unstructured creative play? Vacations? How many? How long?
Can we even define this beast?!
If I don’t know where I’m going, how am I supposed to get there?
Before getting overwhelmed, check out what author Jon Acuff says: “You don’t need to go back in time to be awesome; you just have to start right now. Regretting that you didn’t start earlier is a great distraction from moving on with your dream today, and the reality is that today is earlier than tomorrow.”
Can I get an amen? Past regret doesn’t help the future! Moms are expert regret-ers though.
However, as my mentor regularly reminds me, “Regret is a choice that serves no useful purpose. It only robs your present.”
So, what can we do? School is starting – soon.
The solution may be counterintuitive.
In Acuff’s “Finish” book, he analyzed what it takes to accomplish goals. His findings surprised me. The answer was not “work harder and sleep less.” Actually, the opposite!
Here’s his book in three sentences:
1. “Cut your goal in half.”
2. “Choose what you’ll bomb.”
3. “Make it fun if you want it done.”
“But that’s cheating!!!!” you may say. “You just ignored half the list!”
I know. I fought this idea. I actually read the book twice before it sank in.
Then I wondered: Do summer goals need this book?
Acuff says that if we feel overwhelmed, we won’t actually DO the things we want to do. Overwhelm is un-useful.
For example, if I’m feeling overwhelmed by a dragon like “Organize the Basement,” my brain tells me I can’t succeed, and I avoid it.
Let’s apply Jon’s three “finisher” hacks to the basement dragon.
1. Cut it in half? That feels better.
2. Choose what you’ll bomb? Paper plates, here I come!!
3. Make it fun if you want it done. DQ trips at the end!
Suddenly, it’s not, “Do it perfectly, or you’re a miserable failure.”
Just look at the difference here:
#1 Organize the basement.
or
#2 Organize half the basement, instead of washing dishes this week, and then have a DQ party.
Which one would you rather do?!
Here’s the point: the way we think about our lists matters. It’s actually the difference between success and failure.
Whenever I talk about mom success, I can’t ignore the “mic-drop” of all mom questions from three parenting messages by Mike Fabarez. (Links to listen are on my most recent blog at gerdesfreshfarm.com/blog)
What’s the question? “What does it profit anyone to gain the whole world, yet lose their soul?”
In other words, what’s the most important? Academics? Money? Sports? Extracurriculars?
Whatever is most important, automatically makes something else less important. Let’s be exceedingly careful with what we’re making less important.
How do we do that?! Maybe start by listening to this series of messages, while trying this recipe.
Cross that off your summer bucket list!!
Bucket List #1 “Care about my kids’ eternal soul while creating yummy treats.” Done!! What a spectacular mom you are!
I’m always rooting for you, friend. Keep up the good work, and tell me if you try the popsicles!
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