🐔 Unplugging Go Go Go Gary

How one chicken nearly ruined camp—and how I fried him instead.

This past week I was at Camp Friedlander with our Scout troop. Nestled in the woods, tent pitched by a lake… it should’ve been peak relaxation. But on Day One, I heard him.

At first, I listened. I found myself in the Eagle’s Nest, the only place at camp with Wi-Fi and air conditioning—conveniently perfect for “just a little work.” In my defense: the air conditioning.

But early in the week, I heard him. The chicken I call Go Go Go Gary.

Gary is the voice in your head that says:

• “Don’t stop now.”

• “Keep checking your email.”

• “One more task before lunch.”

• “You’re not allowed to relax yet—you haven’t done enough.”

Gary doesn’t nap. Gary doesn’t stroll. Gary doesn’t believe in glacier breaks (more on that in a second).

So at camp, I found myself in the Eagle’s Nest—a Wi-Fi-enabled, air-conditioned haven where adults hang out. And yeah, I got a little work done.

In my defense: air conditioning.

But deep down I knew what was happening. Colin Powell, in his book It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership, warned about becoming one of the “busy bastards.” He wrote:

“A busy bastard can’t stop finding things to do. He never rests … Be busy, work hard, but don’t become so busy that you cut out other things in life, like family and recreation and hobbies.”

Go Go Go Gary was turning me into a busy bastard. And I was at an incredible camp.

So I made a decision: unplug—at least a little. I had a glacier (half slushee, half soft-serve ice cream). I took multiple naps. I went on a field trip to a local farmer’s market. I played camp trivia. And our adult leaders entered a slushee tasting competition—and won. The prize? You guessed it: another glacier.

And when Friday came around, I heard from Gary again—bright and early. “Hey! You could make your Friday 6:30 a.m. call!” And I could have. I love those calls. But instead… I slept in.

Later, Gary chirped again: “It’s newsletter day! Gotta fry those chickens!” But here’s the truth: not every chicken needs to be fried on a deadline.

So I went for a walk. I had some more ice cream. I took a nap in my tent—woods to the left, lake to the right.

That night, we headed to Red, White, and BOOM, the Fourth of July celebration with the Cincinnati Pops—an incredible night of music, fireworks, and community. As part of the festivities, there was a special Scouting celebration to honor Eagle Scout and Maestro John Morris Russell, who received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. All Scouts in attendance marched through the crowd as the Pops played Sousa’s Boy Scout March.

Then: Rossi fireworks. Music. Applause. One of those nights you never forget.

And Gary? He finally got quiet. Because the chicken that tells you to do everything isn’t helping. He’s keeping you too busy to do what really matters.

Last week, I didn’t fry my newsletter chicken. I fried Go Go Go Gary instead.

Or – and hear me out – maybe that last glacier froze him. Either way – I was finally able to unwind.

Let me know if you’ve met your own version of Gary. And if so—what’s your glacier?

#FryYourChickens #GoGoGoGary #ScoutLife #StressRelief #SlowDownToSpeedUp #BusyBastards #ColinPowellWisdom