Not Making Excuses vs Accepting Limitations

This week I’ve had to say “no” to a lot of opportunities I would’ve liked to say “yes” to.

I’ve found myself feeling a sense of guilt both because I feel like I’m letting people down and I’m not able to do as much in a week as others around me seem to do.

Our work culture tells us not be a person who makes excuses but accepting the limitations of life’s seasons is healthy. This is what my seasons of life life is right now:

  • My wife is at work or on call 84 hours per week.
  • I have a two-year old and a baby on the way.
  • My nearest family member lives two states away.

Instead of feeling guilty, I’m trying to focus on this:

  • I am a quality developer and demand for my services is higher than their supply. This is a good thing and a testament to the quality of work I do.
  • I get to spend a lot of quality time with my son every week and experience his joy as he discovers more and more about his world.
  • I am supporting someone I love as they launch a new phase of their career.

Between the bug zapper our neighbors installed, all the lavender and citronella we planted, and the bats living in both our attics the mosquito population in our little corner of Indiana is quite low this summer.