Even with more technology to help, you are busier than ever. You never have enough time to do anything to your satisfaction.
You can’t seem to get on top of things at work; the to-do list at home keeps growing; time with loved ones is always limited. You sense the distance growing between you and your spouse. You have come to justify the lack of time with family because of busy-ness with the often used, “It’s not the quantity but the quality of the time spent together that matters.”
Take care of yourself? Impossible! You have no time to exercise, rest well, or eat properly. You always feel tired.
Perhaps you purchased a gym membership, but when you’re asked how exercising is going, you respond that you’re “too busy” to get to the gym.
Spiritually you have lost passion and excitement for the things of God because you do not have time daily to get alone with God and be renewed and empowered. You also lack the time to be involved in a small group where you can be nurtured and challenged as a follower of Christ.
I recall a time in my life when I wore my busy-ness as a badge of honor. I embraced the false belief that says, “The busier I am, the more important I am.” I realized too late that my busy-ness was an unhealthy need to be needed.
This culture of busy-ness has moved us away from human beings to human doings. We have lost touch with what it feels like to be human beings in loving, caring, helping and nurturing relationships. Rather we are defined by our busy-ness.
Perhaps you’ve had a friend or loved one in need who didn’t ask you for help. When you ask them why they did not ask you for help they replied, “I didn’t want to trouble you; I know how busy you are.” Living a life of busy-ness before them has led them to that conclusion.
How do you get a handle on your busy-ness and address the issue of failing to adequately attend to all that you have to do? I do not have some magical way for you to overcome this. But I do know if you will take some time to explore carefully the following questions, you will begin to slow down.
Begin with this question:
What are my priorities?
What things must you attend to, and what things can you pass on to others? Being a spouse or parent, and caring for your well-being and your work responsibilities are things you cannot delegate to others. You have to create the time and space to balance taking care of these responsibilities efficiently.
What can wait?
What things should you say “No” to at the present time? You may love to do some things that are simply not practical for the time being. To do these would lead to the neglect of some other more important area(s) of life. This doesn’t mean you will never be able to do them, but you can delay them for now.
What are the exceptions?
I know there are exceptional situations in life that require you to intentionally neglect some responsibilities so you can address the exception. However, those times of neglect should be just that, the exception.
Strive for a life that is not defined by busy-ness but by balance and health. Live life as a human being not primarily as a human doing. This comes from giving adequate time and attention to the things that matter most in your life.
If you would like help in achieving your goals in any area of your life, call us at 208-880-0307 or email us at errol@errolcarrim.com to schedule a complimentary coaching session. To read Errol’s other posts, visit Christ-Centered Life Coaching.
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