Kate Crocco - Drawing the Line

Building Our Foundation

A few years ago, as the December days grew colder and shorter, I found myself becoming unanchored. You might know the feeling: I was slowly slipping back into old behaviors that, in the past, had led to burnout. Exciting opportunities arose that I didnt want to pass up. Past perfectionistic patterns began to resurface, and I began working more than ever before. I was also nearing the launch of my very first book. It was a monumental momenta lifelong dream. As I rocked my sixteen-month-old to sleep, I caught a glimpse of the swaddle hanging above her bookcase imprinted with an interpretation of Esther 4:14 that said, Perhaps, this is the moment for which you have been created. At that moment, the pressure that had been building felt as though it might swallow me whole. I had no choice: I couldnt fail this book launch. I had two months to get this right, to do everything and anything under the sun to ensure that this book wouldnt go unnoticed in the world. This would be my one shot to spread my message of hope to the women who needed it most, and failure was not an option.

Have you ever felt pressure like this before? The feeling that maybe youve got one shot at something youve always dreamed of? Interviewing for the VP position youve been working toward since you started ten years ago. Driving to that first date after months of deep, connected phone conversations in hopes that maybe this will be the one. Being asked to speak at the next womens conference at your church to share your story of overcoming loss. These are the opportunities that we spend our lives waiting for, running them through our minds over and over again. These are also the opportunities that can throw our lives off-kilter. We become so consumed with having a positive outcome that we lose sight of the mystery in the journey, forgetting that God has predestined us for good no matter what our outcome is.

At the time, I felt immensely blessed. Not only was I launching my first book, but I was also writing my second, planning my first one-hundred-person live event, lining up dozens of podcast, radio, and print interviews, and launching another round of my business coaching mastermind program, all with just twenty childcare hours per week. But I was tired. I was running on adrenaline. And I had no idea how out of alignment I was about to become. I prayed that I could find a way to rest, disconnect from the pressures of work, and be more present for my family. I had created this business for myself so that I could intentionally live a life of alignment and enjoy my time with my family, not feel pulled in a million directions.

Maybe youre there today too, barely hanging on by a thread. Not only are you striving to nail that opportunity and make the next right decision, but youre also flooded with the pressure to impress your boss, be the best partner to your spouse, keep your kids juice cups filled and diapers changed, provide top-notch services to your clients, remember not to lock the dog outside in the rain, keep in touch with your high school bestie, serve at church, and text your mom back.