College Sports Information Directors of America

Hello Colleagues & Friends,

I hope this reaches all of you doing well.  With a new child my life,
this has been a season of transition for me.  This is especially true in
terms of my job as a Sports Information Director.  Now more than ever,
it has become even more important for me to balance the office life and
the family life.  In some ways, this has taken a bit of work and
sacrifice.

In this profession, we are asked to work long hours, put our complete
focus into our work and expend great amounts of energy and brainpower to
do our best.  Often times, we as Sports Information Directors put more
of this pressure on ourselves than anyone else does.

In talking about this with our softball coach, he passed along a list
that he hands out to his assistant coaches before every season.  It is
very applicable to our lives as Sports Information Directors as well, so
I pass it along to you.  It is a good reminder that it is just as
important to put as much energy into our home lives as we do our
professional lives.  And like it is at the office, it is the attention
to the little things at home that determine how successful we will be as
spouse, partner, mother and father.

I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season...and some much needed
time off!

Blake Timm

SID's: Your Family Obligation

1. Give focused attention when your spouse or child speaks to you.

2. Say and do things that tell your spouse and family that they are a
priority in your life.

3. When you say you are going to do something - do it!  Never break your
promises.

4. Hug your spouse every day.  Do the same with your children -
regardless of how old they are.

5. Be quick to admit, "I am wrong.  Please forgive me."

6. Turn off the TV, turn to your spouse.  Ask questions about their
world.

7. Surprise your spouse: Plan a special night out.

8. Write notes of encouragement to each family member, mentioning that
you love them and you are proud of them.

9. Praise your spouse in front of your mutual friends.

10. Buy your spouse a special gift - for no apparent reason.

11. Make it a point to express love and appreciation to your spouse when
and where your children can see and hear it.

12. Take each of your children (individually) out for a lunch or dinner
date - just the two of you.

13. Bring laughter and joy into your home.