The Sideline Seat

Sent every Tuesday to build better leaders and teams.

Sports Story of the Week

Summer Fun

This week's newsletter is a little different.

If you've been wondering why my inbox has been quieter than usual, it's because I've been busy doing something that doesn't show up online.

I've been living.

This week, we're celebrating my son's 10th birthday by watching him throw out the first pitch for our local minor league baseball team. Then we'll head into our city-county swim championship, where countless early mornings, practices, and car rides all come together.

It's one of those weeks that reminds me how quickly these moments pass.

As entrepreneurs and leaders, we're conditioned to believe that consistency means always producing, always publishing, no off days. But sometimes the most valuable work isn't happening behind a keyboard.

Sometimes it's in the bleachers.

Sometimes it's cheering at the end of a swim lane.

Sometimes it's watching a 10-year-old step onto a baseball field with a smile and a moment he'll remember for the rest of his life.

Sports have always been one of the best teachers of business.

You don't get better because of one great game. You improve because of hundreds of ordinary practices that nobody sees.

The same is true in business. Relationships are built in the small moments. Trust compounds through consistency. Success usually looks a lot less glamorous than people imagine. It's showing up, doing the work, learning from losses, and coming back tomorrow. Its attending networking event after networking event to meet those that you need to meet to build your business.

Parenthood reinforces those lessons in an entirely different way.

The emails can wait.

The LinkedIn post can wait.

The newsletter can wait. (and did)

A 10th birthday won't.

When I look back years from now, I doubt I'll remember the newsletter I skipped. I also doubt many of you, my readers, even noticed. But I'll remember the first pitch. I'll remember the swim meet. I'll remember the excitement in my son's face and the pride that comes from simply being present and showing up.

That's a reminder I needed, and maybe it's one you needed too.

So this week's lesson is simple:

Design your work to support your life, whether it is those days that you are grinding and having 10-12 hour days, or the weeks that some of your deliverables don't get done.

I'll be back next week with fresh ideas and practical lessons. This week, I'm investing in the moments that matter most.

I hope you're finding time to do the same.

See you next week.