Business Owner and Baseball Mom: How the Two ‘Play’ Together

On the first Monday of each month, I dust off a favorite post from the blog archives and give you another chance to enjoy the wit and wisdom that’s been shared. Enjoy this month’s treasure – and if it inspires you – be sure to share it with family and friends!

I was a business owner before I became a mom, but the two happened within a year of each other and I’m so grateful for how these unique experiences continue to build upon one another. They each afford me great insight and have built within me strength and resilience I didn’t know I had.

As my kids enter the elementary years, youth sports have become a big deal for our family. Yes, some might say we’re that “crazy travel baseball family” and we wear it proudly. Foremost, I believe youth sports are a powerful vehicle for growth and developing skills and faith far beyond what can be accomplished without it. But I also recognize it takes a lot of time, patience, and resources to balance an active sports schedule with personal and professional life. Remarkably, I’ve found there are synergies between business ownership and being a “baseball mom” that benefit one another. Here’s what I’ve learned to be true of both.

You’ll never regret being overprepared.

During certain parts of the year, I feel like I’m managing a traveling circus. And, really, I am. Especially during the summer months, we spend about every other week and most weekends traveling to a tournament for one or both boys. Some are “local” but still require a full day spent on a ballfield. Others are overnighters and require a great deal more planning and preparation. It’s not as simple as packing for a vacation because if key equipment or pieces of a uniform get left behind, it’s not easily replaced.

It takes a village and I’m grateful to have one. I’ve gotten pretty efficient at knowing what to pack and have learned hard lessons from things that were forgotten. My mental checklist is extensive and it’s almost become second nature. I start laying things out a few days in advance and stick to a certain order of operations to keep my thoughts straight. Most importantly, when we’re sitting in the car ready to leave, my husband and I do a verbal check of the most essential items we can’t afford to leave without. So long as we are confident we have the big things covered, little, nonessential things can always be bought along the way. A forgotten chapstick, water bottle, or extra pair of socks are far less important than a pair of cleats, bat bag, or uniform.

The skill of being organized and prepared is equally as essential in my business. I have a mental inventory of every deadline, to-do, and outstanding conversation. Some are more important than others, so the ability to prioritize is also key. I’ve also learned that I never regret being over-prepared or overly sure that something is taken care of. The few seconds it takes to achieve confirmation is far better than dealing with the aftermath of something forgotten or mixed up.

Don’t quit, rest.

In life, sports, and business, we can reach a point of overwhelm where we think our best and only option is to fully quit. But if experience has taught me anything it’s that rest is really what we need most. When you love what you’re doing, whether it’s your career or supporting a family hobby, you’re in it for a reason. You may be tired, but you haven’t lost the passion. Giving yourself regular rest can prevent burnout both for you and your family. When you think you’ve reached the point where you want to quit, you’ll be surprised that with proper rest you’ll feel recharged and ready to dive back in at the right time. And you’ll be glad you didn’t make a rash decision when you were at a low moment.

I’ve experienced this very scenario in both business and baseball. In tense moments I may wonder if I’m in too deep, made a mistake by following this path, or that the only relief will come from running away from it all. When I give myself a few days of no work or sports-related obligations, I find myself craving the productivity and fulfillment of those activities once again. I never truly wanted to quit, I needed to rest.

Not every win or loss matters.

This won’t be the only time you hear me say this in this article, but life is all about contrast. The outs give the hits meaning (or in non-baseball talk, the losses give the wins meaning). Moreover, not every win or loss really matters in the grand scheme of things. For my kids’ sports, there are in-season games that, while it feels nice to win, the win doesn’t truly matter. It doesn’t change anything about that season and certainly nothing about their future or value as a person. Side note: we are very intentional about ensuring our kids know their identity and worth are not tied to any performance or victory.

In business, there will also be wins and losses at every turn, and not all of them matter. Most will be forgotten by the end of the week. Others sting a bit more but pave the way for an even better outcome. The same is true for wins. Some mean more than others, so don’t kill yourself to grab every “win.” Focus on what matters and let the rest up to fate.

Showing up in person is always noticed.

With technology, we are able to accomplish so much virtually. My work is nearly 100% virtual and rarely do I leave my home office anymore. The introvert in me loves it! But there are times when I need to show up for my clients, and my family, and it needs to be done in person. Select business meetings or experiences need to take place in person to accomplish their intent. And for family, my physical presence brings a sense of connection and peace that can’t be phoned-in. From time to time when I can’t make it to a game in person, there’s the option to watch via live stream on the Gamechanger app. But it doesn’t replace the feeling of being there. You capture so much more from the moment when you’re there to experience the energy, see their expression, and for them to see yours. So while there are times when it will be necessary and acceptable to show up virtually rather than in person, for the big moments, your physical presence will always be noticed.

Always remember your why.

I have grown to absolutely love watching my children play sports. It’s a healthy balance between the heart-bursting pride of seeing them excel through their God-given talents and bonding as a family over a shared love of a sport. We make so many memories not only during games but through all the time spent together before and after, especially when we’re traveling together. There are highs and lows, and that’s the point. The contrast gives the memories meaning. For my business, I entered entrepreneurship to gain the freedom, flexibility, and limitless creativity I so desperately wanted. And even when the effort feels greater than the outcome, I stay closely connected to my why. I know why I do the hard work, go the extra mile, and devote my free time to supporting these goals. The outcome is worth it tenfold. I need to look no further than the picture wall I face at my desk every day. This represents my children, sports, and all the fantastic travel that has all been afforded to us because of this family effort.

Do you have children who play or played youth sports? If you can relate to some of these life lessons and the parallels between work and life, I’d love to hear your stories and perspective. Join the conversation in the comment section below.