I lost a dream opportunity (and I’m glad about it)
I’m a huge Yankees fan.
A completely unsurprising admission for anyone who knows me.
But what many don’t know is that about 18 months ago, I got an offer I didn’t think I could refuse: the opportunity to do a daily Yankees podcast.
You mean, I’d get paid to watch and talk about the Yankees? I do that for free!
And on face value, it would have been great. 30 minutes, Monday – Friday, all about the Yankees.
Surely I talk that long to my wife or anyone else who is in earshot.
Not the Whole Story
But that’s not really the whole story is it? Because I’m not just calling into a radio show, rambling about how Devin Williams blew yet another save.
I’d need to pay attention to the games instead of idly watching sometimes. I’d need to come up with a loose outline that probably isn’t just recapping the game.
On off days I’d need to figure out a topic. Easy enough during the season (Yankees play Red Sox next, here’s what to look for).
But during the off season I’d probably struggle.
It’s also not just the 30 minutes. It’s a bunch of research. I’d need to confirm numbers, probably pay for a subscription to Baseball Reference, etc.
I’d want this show to be good — not just another bearded white dude giving his incomplete hot takes about a NY sports team.
There are a million of those.
As you could tell from the subject line, I didn’t get it. As far as I can tell, the plans got scrapped.
And I’m so glad it didn’t happen.
There are two reasons:
First, it would have been a huge distraction. There are better ways I could spend my time, but I’d also be really excited about it — at least in the beginning.
Which means I’d neglect other, possibly more important work, to do the show.
Second, it would turn one of my most cherished hobbies into a job.
I was listening to a Jomboy Media Talkin’ Yanks’ series recap on Easter, and realized that one of the hosts and founder of the company — Jimmy — had to take time away from his family to record the show.
The guys at the company have to watch the games. They need to do the research. Their schedule revolves around MLB.
Sports, like news media, isn’t kind to family life — especially if you have kids.
So I would have taken on a project that cuts against everything I’ve built my business for.
Protecting Your Time
Removing friction, streamlining, putting systems in place — they’re not just about the tools you use.
They’re about the decisions you make.
And it’s way easier for more people to say yes than no.
While you can build all the automations you want, if you’re not also protectingyour time, it’s all for naught.
So how can you protect your time? I always ask myself three questions:
- Do I want to do this?
- How much time will it really take?
- What will I have to give up?
With the Yankee podcast, the answer to, “do I want to do this,” was a resounding yes.
But for the second question, I probably lied to myself a little. “It won’t take that much time. After all, I’m already watching the games.”
…except I don’t think about the times I choose not to watch. Or when it’s just on in the background. Or the times I can’t watch because I’m at my daughter’s cello lesson.
Which means while I didn’t even ask myself the 3rd question, I wouldn’t have come up with a suitable answer.
As you consider new opportunities, I encourage you be honest about answering, “how much time will this take,” then add 25%.
Finally…and this is crucial…question #3 isn’t optional. You have to answer it.
Because we only have a limited amount of time, and we need to spend it wisely.