Mindful in 5 Podcast

Summer Juggle - Setting Realistic Expectations

• Spiwe Jefferson • Season 5 • Episode 175

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Ever looked at your jam-packed summer calendar and wondered how you'll manage it all? 

Take a breath. In this episode of the Mindful in 5 Summer Zen Series, we tackle the all-too-familiar "summer juggle" and offer a refreshing perspective that might be your ticket to a more peaceful season.

Drawing from the story of Barry, a single dad from the Mindful in 5 book series who faces the classic summer struggles—split custody, tight finances, and the pressure to create magical memories—we explore three powerful concepts to help you navigate the chaos with grace. 


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Spiwe Jefferson:

Welcome to the Mindful in 5 Summer Zen Series, your hub for thriving leaders. Here we will explore actionable insights to support resilience and success as we navigate the unique chaos of summer, and success as we navigate the unique chaos of summer. I'm Spiwe Jefferson, certified mindfulness practitioner, lawyer and author of the Mindful in 5 book series. I believe we all deserve a bit more balance and peace, especially when work and life get a little hectic. When work and life get a little hectic While you're enjoying the sunshine and this vibrant season, I'm excited to share insights and practices that can help you integrate mindfulness, balance, peace and a sense of purpose, whether summer's just beginning or winter's at your door. Grab a comfy spot and let's explore these practices together. Elevate your work, empower your life, work higher, live stronger. Let's go. Have you ever looked at your summer calendar and thought how am I supposed to do it all If you're already feeling the pressure to be the perfect parent, employee and vacation planner? Take a breath, no, no, really take a breath. Today, our topic is the summer juggle, setting realistic expectations. We are going to frame the summer juggle and explore one big idea how embracing imperfection can actually bring you more peace, clarity and joy, whether you are balancing work deadlines, kids at home or that elusive self-care, this series is your weekly reset button.

Spiwe Jefferson:

Let's start with a short story. I love stories, don't you? Barry? A character from the Mindful in 5 book series is a single dad facing a summer of split custody with his ex-wife, tight finances and two energetic young boys. He wants to give them magical memories, keep up at work and somehow find a moment for himself. Sound familiar? Well, barry's struggle is the summer struggle, the pressure to do it all perfectly. So today I will give you three concepts that sit under our idea of embracing imperfection that you can use to be kinder to yourself this season.

Spiwe Jefferson:

First, reframe those quote-unquote perfect summer expectations. The myth of the perfect summer is everywhere Social media group chats, even in our own heads. But what if the best summer isn't about doing it all but about being present for what matters most? Try this Instead of making a mile-long summer bucket list, choose one or two things that truly matter to you and your family and let the rest go. I remember when my kids were younger, summers were a challenge because the schedule was just different and all of us had to adjust to this unusual, different from the rest of the year schedule and, as working parents, their dad and I were always kind of scrambling to find things for them to do that would keep them occupied, excited and learning, and so our focus tended to be on every single week what can we engage them in that is going to keep them interested, energized and excited about what they were doing? And that was it. That was the focus. So find the thing, that one or two things that really matter to you and your family, and the rest of it. Well, if you get to it, great, if not, that's okay.

Spiwe Jefferson:

The second thing that you can do is just embrace imperfection as a path to peace. Barry learned that some days dinners take out and screen time is survival, so he can catch up on work while the boys watch something. Is it a crime? Well, I think in a lot of parents' minds it is letting the screens teach the children. But you know, I think everything works when it is balanced, and so for Barry, that's okay. When we let go of perfection, we create space for peace and softer moments, moments where laughter replaces stress and connection displaces chaos. So ask yourself, what can I let go of today to make room for a little piece? I would argue you should be asking yourself that around the year, even when you are not dealing with summer schedules.

Spiwe Jefferson:

The third thing that I will give you is set realistic, compassionate goals for your summer. So, instead of aiming for doing it all, set clear, achievable intentions for your summer. What is the most important thing? Maybe the most important thing is that you get off work early so you can pick them up and enjoy the outdoors. I used to do that when I lived in Chicago. I was blessed to be in a position where I could pick up my kids at three o'clock when their summer school program ended and they're at the lab school in Chicago and I would go over to the University of Chicago. I'd pick them up and we'd go to the beach, or we would hop on a boat and we'd go on a boat ride, or we would go to Navy Pier and we'd wander around and just hang out and it was just great fun. And that was the goal. That was. The only goal was just to enjoy the outdoors and find something fun that we could all do together. So, whatever it is for you, figure out what that is and just focus on doing that one thing. Maybe it's 30 minutes of focused work before breakfast. That's your personal goal. Maybe it's one family outing a weekend? That's your total goal for the family. Whatever it is, make it realistic and celebrate every small win. Remember progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Spiwe Jefferson:

To wrap up our quick episode, embrace this thought. Summer doesn't have to be a stress marathon. You don't have to run hither and tither. For those of you who have kids in sports, you're already running hither and tither. You don't need to add anything else to that schedule. And if you are that parent who's running hither and thither with the sports, then your goal, which is already underway, can very easily be just to ensure that your kids are exposed to different kinds of physical and other activities, creative activities, and that they're having fun and that they are learning and stretching their minds. They might not make it to the NFL or the NBA. That might not even be an aspiration. They might not make it to the Olympics, but for now, the goal is for them to learn how to get along with other kids, to learn sportsmanship, to learn how to lose with grace, how to win well and to have fun and be outdoors. That is a fine, fine goal, and if that's all you do this summer, that is enough.

Spiwe Jefferson:

By reframing expectations and embracing imperfection, you can cultivate a more peaceful, joyful and supported season for yourself and those you love. Carry this intention with you and let it guide your choices. Remember you don't have to do it all. Sometimes the most peaceful summer is the one where you simply show up, imperfect but present. Join us next week, where I think we'll be talking about flexible routines, structure without stress, and don't forget to click the link in the notes to meet Barry and dive deeper into mindfulness strategies you can implement in your daily life no matter what is going on around you, starting with just five minutes a day Peaceful, clear, joyful, supported. That is your mindful. In five summer zen Until next week. This is Beway saying be mindful and be well.

James@DiscovertheVoice:

Thank you for listening to Mindful in 5. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend, follow and rate it on your favorite podcast platform. Pick up your signed copy of the book and journal from spiwejefferson. com, or unsigned copies from Amazon, barnes, noble or wherever you get your books. Visit spiwejefferson. com to download sample chapters of the book, watch videos and become a mindful ninja. Join us on the LinkedIn Mindful in 5 group and share your thoughts Until next. Next time, be mindful and be well.