Hey everyone, it’s been a while since my last post.
A lot has been happening over the last few months, and my head has been in so many different places. I’ve tried to sit down and write posts and articles, but I haven’t really been able to put anything cohesive together.
As I’m writing this, it’s my seventh wedding anniversary. My wife and I are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate, and it feels like a good moment to share what’s been taking up so much space in my mind lately.
We’re having a baby girl!
We found out about two months ago, and ever since then, my mind has been full of questions. I’m going to be a dad. What does that mean for me? What does that mean for us as a couple? What do I need to do to be ready?
It’s some of the best news I’ve ever received. I’m thrilled. I’ve wanted to be a dad, and now that it’s happening, I’m trying to wrap my head around everything that comes with it.
Over the last couple of months, a few priorities have become clearer.
The biggest one is time with my family.
I want to be around as much as I can when our baby is born and as they grow up. That’s made me think about how much time I spend working, being distracted, or just filling the day.
Work is a priority. Being able to support and take care of my family matters to me. I want to be great at my job, be kind to the people I work with, and do what I’m there to do.
But I don’t want to drag something out because I’m distracted. If I have a job to get done, I want to get it done. I keep coming back to that logic: the better I use my time, the more time I can have for my family.
Physical fitness has also moved up my list.
It’s always been a priority for me, but it’s slowly stopped being the priority it once was.
I want to be in the best shape so I can care for my wife in those first few weeks after the baby is born and take care of our child, too.
I know I’ll be tired some days. But I want to do what I can now to be physically ready to show up for them. That means working out and being conscious of what I’m eating, even when it would be easier to let those things slide.
Really for me, “get my shit together” has been the theme running through my head.
That sounds blunt, but it’s where I’m at. I’ve been looking at my priorities, where I’m off, and what I need to do about it.
There’s less room for perfectionism. If I want to launch a side project, I need to launch it. I can’t keep waiting until every detail is perfect. At some point, I have to stand up and get it done.
I’ve found myself being more deliberate with whatever I’m doing.
When I’m with family, I’m trying to stay off my phone and really focused on spending time with them.
When I’m in the gym, I’m pushing myself harder. I don’t stop after a certain number anymore - I push to get a few extra reps in.
When I’m working on my side business, I’m focused on moving it forward. I’ve stopped thinking about the nice-to-have’s and really been deliberate on what moves the needle forward.
At work, I’m trying to make the most of the time I’m there. I’m dialed in trying to make the most out of my time.
I’m still figuring out what being a dad is going to mean. Right now, I’m trying to get clearer about what matters and follow through on it.
I want to take care of my family, take care of myself, and make time to fully be with the people I’m doing all this for.
Our baby isn’t here yet, but becoming a dad is already changing how I spend my days.