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By Staff Writer: Christopher Mellott

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone says, “I am too busy to do _______________”. I hear it when I meet with a student to discuss their alleged misconduct, or when I walk across campus; I hear it at the grocery store waiting in line to check out. I even hear it at races. I used to say that I was too busy, that I did not have time to do the stuff that was important to me. During undergrad, I took a full course load, and was working two jobs. To many people I was busy, but I wasn’t busy enough I slept in or stayed up late, played too many video games, and procrastinated on every assignment. I was not busy enough. Fortunately, I learned the lesson of being busy from my Mom.

My Mom is an incredible woman. She is easily first ballot for the hall of fame. She continues to have the patience to put up with me. Since I can remember, she has been one of the busiest people I know. Mom has a full time job, bowls in a league, walks every day, volunteers, and still manages to read a book or more a week. When my sister and I were in school, she made sure we got breakfast, got out of the house on time, picked us up from sports practices, and attended competitions. Mom balanced it all. Mom is the example of how to handle busy. I started adopting her ways when I started running. I plan my races for the year in a spreadsheet, I track my mileage in a written log, and schedule runs in a calendar. I was fortunate enough to learn about being busy from her. Mom has only one lesson about being busy because it is the only lesson I needed.

“If you want something done, give it to a busy person”

Mom has to schedule her life to fit everything in. She plans meticulously and knows exactly when she has free time. She purchases Christmas gifts in July. She is busy so she gets stuff done. Busy people get shit done! That is why we hear stories about single parents working two jobs, getting a degree, starting their own business. These people are all busy but they make time for what is important. I started to make time for running and all of the sudden I was happier and getting more stuff done. I wanted to race on weekends so I did homework as soon as it was assigned. I got busy. We can all carve out the time in our lives for the important stuff.

I am busier than ever balancing being a partner to an incredible women, a parent to an incredibly energetic black lab, a student conduct professional, a part time writer and training for the longest race I have ever run. I have never felt more relaxed about my life and my goals than at this moment because I am busy and everything has a time and place. I know when I need to write, to run, spend time with my family and everything in between.

Busy is a mindset. We all have goals in life that we do not think we have time for. We can train to run ultramarathons, we can all commit to something we tell others we are “too busy” for. I committed to run every day and train to run long races. I am also committed to Chelsea and getting outside with Diesel at least twice a week. I became a busy person. I utilize my lunches for hill intervals on the treadmill. I forgo sleeping in for a chance to play an hour of video games, then gear up for long solo runs into the hills. I meal prep. I even prep my coffee maker the day before. I want to be busy because I want to see my goals through to the end.

If you want something bad enough you will either find the time or make the time. Do not blame being busy for lousy race results. Blame busy for having a structured training plan, for making the most of the day, to being organized. Blame being busy for getting shit done.

Give up the excuses. Follow Mom’s advice. Be busy, get it done, and chase down your dreams.

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