“Take your time going but hurry back.” That is advice given to me frequently by my friend Alan, starting three decades ago. I was never exactly sure what it meant. I am still not, but that hasn’t kept me from saying the same phrase to my family and friends ever since — leaving them in a similar state of confusion.

For whatever reason, I have been in a continual competition with the clock for much of my life. This started in my teenage years when I first had to get to places on time without Mom making sure of it. I liked to wait to the last minute and then see how quickly I could get to where I needed to be. Then I would try to cut an extra minute or two off my time with a few more efficiencies. It was a game that entertained me. Others? Not so much.

What I didn’t realize back then was that this race to beat the clock created all kinds of unnecessary stress and pressure, but I had to learn this on my own.

In my first job out of college, I worked with a wonderful woman named Helene. She was seemingly always cheerful, energetic and successful. And, maybe not surprisingly, she was one of the senior members of our department. My coworkers told me Helene started each day bright and early, and she was “always the first person at work.”

The challenge was on. The next morning, I arrived to work 15 minutes early. I quickly realized that everyone except me was already doing this. So, the following day, I showed up 30 minutes early, and I arrived before most everyone else — except Helene. I then came to work an hour early. She still beat me. I assumed there was no way Helene came to work 90 minutes before start time. I was wrong. Bound and determined to beat her, I eventually showed up two hours early, and I celebrated my victory — only to learn that Helene was on vacation that day. I submitted. Helene won.

That competition with Helene did change a habit for me, though. I didn't keep showing up to work two hours early, but I did realize how much more prepared I was to start my day at least 30 minutes in advance and how much more relaxed I was by not showing up 60 seconds before start time. I learned that I was able to get much more accomplished each day by arriving early and, as a result, I was more successful.

Less stress. More success. Just by getting to work earlier. Had I realized this as a teenager, I may not have been racing against the clock so much. Maybe. More than likely, though, I would have still taken my time going but hurrying back.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

Trip of a lifetime
Residents share stories of their dreams-come-true vacations.

By Chantel Boyd

For some people, vacationing is a part of their routine. They plan, take and enjoy numerous trips to see the sights and “get away” from the usual hustle and bustle of life. They enjoy good times and make fond memories. They share photos and stories, but it isn’t long before they are looking forward to their next excursion. For some others, a vacation turns out to be much more than that — it is a dream come true, and, no matter how many vacations may follow, none will ever compare. It is a trip of a lifetime.

Traveling perks of the job
Jodi Selby of Adel switched careers a couple of years ago and now works for an international company that has her traveling to Europe every fall. The whole family — Jodi and her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Rori — benefits as they are able to take trips they wouldn’t otherwise be able to manage, says Jodi.

“In 2022, Rori went with me to Düsseldorf, Germany, and we added a few days and went to Paris,” she says.

These celebrities were born on this date: Ella Anderson, Diana Ross, Keira Knightley, Steven Tyler, Kenny Chesney, T.R. Knight, Jay Sean, Martin Short, Leslie Mann, Eric Allan Kramer, Mikel Arteta, Von Miller, Jennifer Grey

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Why did the old alpine skier die so suddenly? HE HAD REACHED HIS PEAK! - Clare Baker. Or, HE WENT DOWNHILL FAST! - Rex Post. Or, Because he suffered from an avalanche of conditions! - William Snyder. Or, He was attacked by a snow cat! - Gail Tomlinson.

Today's riddle

What is a horse's  favorite state?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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Mary Fowler
Account Executive
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mary@dmcityview.com

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