There is no time to waste

Like most mornings, today, I spoke with my mom on the phone. Unlike most calls where we just chit chat, I wanted to share a few recent wins I had at work.

This year has been full of uphill battles, but overall I am finishing it feeling pretty good about what I accomplished with the resources I had.

On a personal note, we moved to a bigger house. My wife and I are healthier and happier than ever.

At work, the company was stable during the pandemic. We even managed to grow our team and start not one, but two new office locations. Our design team won several awards, and keeps growing better every year.

My mom listened to all of this quietly on the phone. I could hear her smile and tears rolling down her cheeks. I could feel she was proud of me.

But, I knew what she was about to say.

After I finished my boasting about this year's victories, the call was silent for a minute, and then she did what she always does. She brought me back as only she can do it.

"I am proud of you son, and I am delighted you are happy. But don't forget you are black, so you've got to be ten times better to be seen as an equal. Start working on your next win today. There is no time to waste."

I knew what she was about to say because I grew up listening to this sentence after every win and every loss. It's what drove her to build a family, a career, and raise two kids coming from less than nothing.

Okay, mom, ten times better. There is no time to waste.

Back to work.