August 2026
My Plan Met Travel Baseball This Summer
I’ve shared before that parenting, at times, has overwhelmed me. I know I’m not alone. We all have to deal with managing schedules, shuttling kids and teenagers around, juggling work and family, and all of the issues that come up for both.
Creating processes and routines always helps me, and as my kids have gotten older (high school and college now), I’ve usually felt quite confident. That was until travel sports really took over this summer in a way they never had before.
I truly get so much joy out of watching my son play baseball, and also, so much of what I do to manage my time during the year is squashed in the summer. Travel-sports parents, I think you must know what I’m going to say here before I even say it!
Travel baseball is really hard for me because I’m not able to plan.
Schedules are often fluid, and the actual traveling cuts into so much time I need to get work done.
This summer was a challenge.
I thought I was going to intentionally have less work than last summer. Like many of you, I wanted a break to enjoy my favorite season and be outside. While I’m not ever going to complain that my business is growing and people are wanting to work with me (thank you!), in combination with new high school travel baseball commitments, the weeks were tight, and I needed to adjust my plan.
Here’s where the big lesson of the summer came into view for me, one I teach my clients: We have to learn to feel comfortable with a pivot. It’s hard, but it’s important. Also, it’s helpful to look at pivoting with curiosity and compassion instead of judgment. It isn’t easy, but I’m working very hard on this reframing, especially this summer.
I fiercely protect my Friday mornings for stand up paddleboard yoga, and while I intended to work on Friday afternoons this summer, most often I was in the car headed to a baseball tournament.
Like I said, I absolutely love watching my son play baseball, so this brought me joy, but it also meant there was no time to work on Fridays. I wasn't prepared for that, and the intensity of the rest of my week wasn’t as sustainable as I’d like it to be.
But here we are close to the end of August already. School is back in session, and my mornings on the lake will soon come to an end for the season. I’ll get back to my plan, and I’ll reflect on what I’ve learned.
I need to because, guess what? My son is playing travel baseball again next summer, and now I can’t wait. No pivot required, I’ll have a plan and know what to expect!
- Ronna
FREE TIME WORTH TALKING ABOUT
What I’m Reading, Watching,
Turning Pages: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
Did you ever read The Help? This is by the same author. And while I don’t always love period pieces, this one takes place in the 30s and is a page turner with fantastic characters. But consider yourself warned: It’s long at 656 pages in the hardcover version. But worth every minute! I’m not finished with it yet, and I’m finding it hard to put down.
On the Screen: Voicemails for Isabelle, a romantic comedy-drama on Netflix
Simply put, I love a good rom com. I laughed, I cried, and I didn’t want it to end. It features Lea Thompson’s daughter, who is really enjoyable to watch. And fun fact: I remember Lea from her days on Caroline in the City, which holds a special place in my heart since it was the sister show to the first TV sitcom I worked on called Union Square.
In My Ears: In case you missed my recent email, I’ve been on a podcast blitz. Please take some time to listen to my appearances and let me know what you think. I love being on podcasts and connecting with new audiences.
Time Management for Busy Moms: Why Planning Creates More Freedom with Ronna Belinky, Electric Ideas with Whitney Baker
Workflows that Work, with guest Ronna Belinky, The Social Dialogue Podcast
What She Taught Me: Talking with Ronna Belinky, Going the Distance with Go Long
* Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
WHAT I’M THINKING ABOUT
Compassionate and Adaptive Time Management
My SUP yoga teacher (and the owner) Casey from Standup and Flow led a restorative class recently that felt so good. And it wasn’t only good for my body, it worked my mind, too.
I kept thinking about how she emphasized doing the pose that works for me and my body. She gave choices and reiterated that the poses would be different for every body (not only everybody).
This reminded me of how I teach compassionate and adaptive time management because I want you to be kind to yourself as you figure out how your brain works best. I also want you to make choices in how you can adapt what I teach to you and your life.
And like yoga, no one should be looking to other people as a means of comparison. In planning and time management, every brain is different and nothing fits everybody (or every body).
Are you ready to explore how to simplify your life, reduce stress and stay organized with customized time-management systems?
Fill out my contact form to set up a free 30-minute consultation.
A FEW MORE THINGS
Join me at a Book Talk!
I’m so excited to be leading a book discussion at About Time Bookstore in Libertyville, Illinois. If you’re local, I would love for you to join me so we can chat about the principles of Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity, one of my most favorite books.
You can register here. And here’s more about the bookstore, which is women-owned. You know I love supporting women-owned businesses! Hope to see you there.
Don’t miss next month’s Admin Hour on September 8th from 1-2:15pm CT!
This is a FREE, monthly Zoom session where anyone can join me to work for a dedicated hour. After an hour of quiet work time together you can hop off or spend 15 minutes with me while I host an “Ask Me Anything.” I will answer your most pressing productivity or time-management questions.
You’re welcome to attend once, every time, or whenever it works in your schedule. I will be there, holding myself accountable to getting tasks done and connecting with many of you.
Register for the September 8th Admin Hour here.