Time and Thanks

Thank you to AGO member Larry Wheelock, Dean of the Milwaukee chapter, for gently bringing to my attention that I have been neglecting the Regional blog. I am glad that he reads it, and look forward to hearing feedback from more members who do.

The issue of time -- or more clearly, time management and time commitments -- is one I've never been able to address completely successfully. I am an over-committed person. I'm very enthusiastic about the Guild, and I honestly feel the same way about nearly everything I do in my professional and personal life. So my neglecting a task isn't usually due to lack of interest in doing it. It's just that 24 hours in each day doesn't allow enough time for all I need and/or want to do. And I'm not unique. Just about every AGO leader I know is the same way. We are all, from the Guild President through all of the regional, district, and chapter roles, generally enthusiastic but over-committed volunteers.

That's why I'm grateful for Larry's note to me. In writing it, he let me know that this part of what I do is important to him, and that gave me the motivation to fit this task into yet another busy day. And, by the way, he also included thanks, too, for other things I've done. That kindness meant a lot to me and helped me to face this additional "to-do" with enthusiasm rather than the more negative emotions that only bog me down and make me even less productive.

So, today, I'd like to suggest that we each think of a fellow Guild member who, despite being over-committed, is doing his/her best for the AGO. Let's follow Larry's lead and write a note, make a phone call, or send an e-mail to someone whose work we've noticed. After all, the Guild is at its best when we are working together and supporting each other!