This is an iHeart Podcast. Hey listeners, today's tip is powered by National University.
Before breakfast, you know my goal is to help you make the most of your day. without sacrificing work or family time.
That's why I'm so happy to introduce an institution that shares the same values.
If you are thinking about going back to school, you're probably wondering how to fit it all in.
National's flexible online formats, four- and eight-week courses, and monthly class starts help you begin your degree sooner, finish faster, and do it all on your own schedule. so you have more options for managing work, family, and school.
With over 150 degrees, credentials and certificates to choose from, They have a program that fits your career goals.
Learn more today at nu.edu. Welcome to before breakfast, a production of I heart radio.
Good morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is that you don't have to pick up every dropped ball.
I know that the people who listen to Before Breakfast are conscientious and productive.
And it can be utterly maddening to watch other people drop the ball.
A colleague has offered to plan a baby shower for a team member. and the due date keeps getting closer, with no indication that anything has been planned.
Or maybe you have a high schooler who doesn't want you to register him for the SAT. but has not taken any steps to do that himself.
Maybe a local nonprofit board chair has insisted you need a summer meeting.
But she has not scheduled it, and it is almost Labor Day. your neighbor asked about borrowing your power washer.
You said yes. You moved it to your porch.
And there it sits. In moments like these, conscientious people often feel tempted to swoop in to pick up the drop ball and save the day.
You scramble to plan a baby shower last minute.
You write to the board chair to suggest dates.
You walk your power washer over to your neighbor's.
And sometimes picking up a dropped ball is the right thing to do.
I mean, you probably don't want to let your kid delay taking the SAT too long if you're pretty sure he does hope to go to college.
You want your team member to have a baby shower, and so you might decide to plan the shower. as your colleague, who you know is less busy than you, makes noises about how everything has just been so busy.
And sometimes you pick up the ball because it's going to land back in your court anyway.
And the later it does, the more frantic everything will be.
If your boss wants you to create some charts for his presentation, and he hasn't gotten you the data?
Sadly, you probably do need to follow up. so he doesn't drop this in your lap the night before his presentation. when you have a million other things going on.
But you don't always have to pick up the ball.
If it is not going to be much bother to you one way or another, you can just let it ride.
If your neighbor hasn't come by in a week, just put the power washer back in the garage.
Your neighbor can knock on your door or text you when they're on the way, and you will deal with it then, if it is convenient.
In some cases, you can float a test balloon. a friend who hasn't responded to dates you suggested for getting together, can be nudged with a message asking if she had other dates in mind.
But eventually, you have to let the other person decide to deal with it or not.
Indeed, sometimes you can deliberately put the ball back in someone's court. to decide if they are serious or not.
If you have this sort of job where a lot of people want to pick your brain or do informational interviews about your industry, You can ask the person requesting a meeting to first send you a list of questions, so you can prepare.
If the person does, great. You could schedule a meeting.
But if they dropped the ball, well, good you found out before you spent 30 minutes with them.' or tried to do a professional favor for someone who wasn't actually that excited about it in the first place. especially when the other person made the request or initiated planning.
If they drop the ball, you may not need to pick it up.
You can assume that when it's a priority for them, they will get back to it.
And you don't need to take responsibility for it in the meantime.
In the meantime, this is Laura. Thanks for listening.
And here's to making the most. of our time.
Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast.
If you've got questions ideas or feedback You can reach me at Laura at LauraVanderkam.com.
Before Breakfast is a production of iHeart Media.
For more podcasts from iHeart Media, please visit the iHeart Radio app Apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Hey listeners, today's tip is powered by National University.
Before breakfast, you know my goal is to help you make the most of your day. without sacrificing work or family time.
That's why I'm so happy to introduce an institution that shares the same values.
If you are thinking about going back to school, you're probably wondering how to fit it all in.
National's flexible online formats, four and eight-week courses, and monthly class starts help you begin your degree sooner, finish faster, and do it all on your own schedule. so you have more options for managing work, family, and school.
With over 150 degrees, credentials, and certificates to choose from, They have a program that fits your career goals.
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