Feeling Like Butter Over Too Much Bread
On overcommitment, margin, and knowing your season.
Lately, that line from Bilbo has been in my head. Life’s gotten a lot better since last year. In a way, because I’ve managed to overcommit myself to a whole lot of good things. And if I’m honest, that’s when I usually feel the most stretched thin. It’s not from the stuff I don’t want to do, but from all the things I’m excited about
Four months ago, I returned from deployment. That shift gave me something I hadn’t had in years: margin. I left behind the soulless, windowless grind of operational intel at Moody and stepped into a new role as an instructor at Squadron Officer School. My first class just wrapped, and it was awesome. On top of that, I’ve had more energy, more time, and more space to pursue long-delayed dreams.
But here’s the catch: I kinda filled every available minute.
In this new season, I jumped headfirst into training for a Half Ironman, finally locked in a book contract (Hey, I’m writing a book! Your Focus Determines Your Reality), Also moved to Montgomery, re-started new creative projects (like YouTube and this newsletter), and kept up with some unexpected family, erm, obligations. On paper, it’s all rather exciting. In reality, it’s exhausting.
Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity was one of my favorite reads during the deployment. In short: focus on fewer projects, but give them your best attention. Ambition is great, but it only works when paired with margin. Without margin, momentum collapses.
That’s the tension I’ve been wrestling with. Seasons of productivity aren’t about achieving balance (I think balance is a myth). You have to recognize the rhythms of sprint and recovery.
The last few weeks have tested me. Family health crisis pulled me onto the road multiple times, with seven-hour drives back and forth to Florida. That was the tipping point where I realized: something has to give. But I’m torn.
So here’s my reality right now: I’m in a sprint season. Between now and the end of October, my focus is narrowed to three things: my job, my family, and my two big goals - finishing the Half Ironman and writing the book. (Ok four things)
Everything else? I’m cutting back. YouTube uploads will be minimal. Substack posts here will show up occasionally (like this one), but not every week.
And then, come November and December, I plan to embrace a season of rest during the holidays.
Maybe you’re in a season of sprinting. Maybe you’re in a season of recovery. Both are necessary, but they require honesty with ourselves and recognition of when you’re spread too thin.
If you feel like butter over too much bread, maybe it’s time to step back and ask: What is non-negotiable in this season? What can wait until the next one?
MTFBWY
-Riley