A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a friend whom I have a lot in common. Like me, Mallory Even is a music therapist, business owner, and mom. During the course of our conversation, I mentioned that I had recently started saying “no” to work-related opportunities that didn’t excite or inspire me. Mallory agreed, and added:

When I am away from my kiddos, I am always thinking, “make this count!”

Yes, yes, yes. I feel more driven than ever when it comes to my career, and Mallory articulated the reason why perfectly. If I’m going to be spending precious minutes and hours away from my baby, they’d better be spent well. I think this has made me a better therapist and teacher, which in turn benefits my students.

A recent “make this count!” experience: becoming certified in NICU music therapy. Attending the lecture component, fieldwork training, and completing the outside reading and exams were a huge time commitment, but the joy I felt in receiving that certificate was a reminder that it was worth the effort.

I’m genuinely excited about the work I’m doing these days and the direction(s) in which I’m heading professionally. There’s no room for indifference or ambivalence in my life, and I’m learning to feel less guilty when I turn down commitments that would most likely evoke those feelings.

Now if only I could rewind a few years and tell my younger self to take this approach; guess I’ll chalk it up to growing older and wiser, right?