With the precision of a clockmaker, let’s attune our mindset. Meeting deadlines isn’t simply a race against the relentless tick of time, it’s a ballet dance where precision meets pace. Each twirl and pivot, a testament to your commitment, your respect for the cadence of time.

Promises, they’re the invisible strings that connect us. Strong as silk, gentle as a mother’s touch. They’re not shackles to be dreaded, but bridges spanning the gap between integrity and accountability.

Imagine a potter, his hands caked in clay, shaping with care and love. That’s us with our goals. Each goal pursued, each promise kept—it’s the soul of the potter in each pot he crafts. Our integrity is the delicate, steady hand that guides us. It’s the north star in the constellation of our actions.

Don’t let fear of missing a deadline drape you in dread. Think of it as a river rushing to the sea—powerful, but on course. Each deadline met, each promise kept—they’re stones you add to the path of integrity, creating a bridge to a future self who’s reliable, trustworthy, true.

Instead of a boulder to be lugged, let promises be wings that carry you to the land of trustworthiness. Instead of cowering at the tick-tock of a deadline, let it be the drumbeat that guides your march toward success.

Chase your goals not out of fear, but out of a deep sense of respect for time, for promises, and for the self you’re sculpting out of integrity. Retreat is not an option. It’s a forward march, a bold stride, and an unwavering gaze toward your true north.

Stephen Boudreau serves as VP of Brand and Community at Virtuous Software. For over two decades, he has helped nonprofits leverage the digital space to grow their impact. To that end, Stephen co-founded RaiseDonors, a platform that provides nonprofits with technology and experiences that remove barriers to successful online fundraising. He is an avid (but aging) soccer player, audiobook enthusiast, and the heavily-disputed UNO champion of his household.

Copyright ©2023 Stephen Boudreau.