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From the Desk of President Jessica Poole – Boundaries are important
by Jessica Poole – 2022-23 College Sports Communicators President
Chicago State University, Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer @JessPooleA2
"I want us as an industry to make setting boundaries the norm and not the exception."
There is no denying it. We are in the thick of things with football and fall sports in full swing and the first practices for basketball and hockey season already underway. This is the time when many of us need to set some boundaries with work so we can get the time we need for ourselves and our families.
Make no mistake, I’m no poster child for this. I’m the queen of saying “yes” to just about everything work-related and, as I will share with you all, it is a must to set some boundaries or things end up crazy.
Most of you all know, I’m a single mom and I’ve got a son (Big Will), he’s struggled a little bit with some respiratory issues as of late and we’ve spent some quality time at Loyola Peds ER and Hospital over the course of the past month. That month was also one filled with College Sports Communicators work and Chicago State work — and I haven’t set good boundaries.
In each instance when I was in the hospital with my son I brought my work computer (who does that). While my son was getting breathing treatments and sleeping, I was answering emails on my phone. I was fielding phone calls from coaches before and after doctors came in to give me updates on my son.
Friends, this is not healthy behavior.
As an industry, we tend to behave in the way that I did this last month saying "yes" with no regard to what I was saying "no" to, and with no regard to the present moment.
I want us as an industry to make setting boundaries the norm and not the exception.
We all love our jobs, our student-athletes and our coaches, but we also need to love ourselves and our families. We can only do that well by setting boundaries with work.
It's ok to work with your coaches and supervisors to make a plan to be a present parent. It’s ok to say no to something to be able to spend time with friends. It’s ok to make a plan to come in early so you can leave early to get a haircut… It is OK!
We have to stop neglecting ourselves and the things that matter to us for the sake of our jobs.
While it’s important to be present at work — I don’t want anyone to think that I don’t find work important — it’s just as important to take care of ourselves and our loved ones.
We can’t be great at work if we are pouring from an empty cup. It’s important that we find time daily, monthly and yearly to “reclaim our time.”
If you can take 30 minutes a day to do something for yourself that’s a win!
If you can plan something special for yourself or your family to do each month that’s a win!
Once a year you need to use your PTO and completely unwind from work and rejuvenate yourself. Spend time with your family and friends in an environment that is untethered from your computer and your cell phone and WORK.
We are blessed to work in this industry but we also only have one life. Life is not meant to be lived alone or behind computer screens.
As much as I’m telling you all to do this, I will need you all to hold me accountable to this too!
Take care of yourselves and each other!
Until next month,
Jess
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