Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything? That somehow you can’t ever find time to relax? Americans are working more than ever, and that's just our jobs! How often do we say yes to every opportunity, to every chance to do something?
Is it just me then?
Limitations are not usually associated with good things. Speed limits, hiring limits, fire code saying how many people you can have at your party etc; but these provide safety, order, stability and peace. To find this peace, we have to figure out three things:
1. What's important
When we say “yes” to everything and everything, we tend to get caught in a web of a gazillion things demanding our attention. That report here, this presentation there, that after school club for the kids, oh wait did I run this week?
We don’t dictate a full schedule, a full schedule dictates us. As a people pleaser, I’m always saying “yes,” but recently I’m having to learn how to say “no”. I’m learning that I can’t do everything, and I can’t please everyone. If I already have a full plate, what good is it giving that tiny corner to something important?
Sounds like a poor trade.
It pains me deeply to say no to people. Especially to important things that I can do well; but I crashed hard recently, and it put me in a place where I needed to make some changes. For me, its figuring out what's important, and saying no to things that can’t be right now.
2. What gives us life
This answer is different for everyone. Humans are wonderfully different, and I pride myself on being the most different (at least in my prideful eyes).
For me, music gives me life. Human connection. Telling stories. These things fill me up. They energize me. They give me the push I need to get through work, to do laundry, to check things off my to do list.
You need to find what gives you life, and invest in it. Make sure you spend adequate time with your charging stations of life
3. What takes life away
For most of us, it's our jobs. Our “must-dos” during the weeks and months. Often we experience burnout when our lives are dominated by things that take away our energy.
When we focus so much on things that take away life, it's very depressing; and by saying we can do all things without needing a recharge is equivalent to saying we are gods.
Humans need rest; and I hate that. Probably more than anyone. I love pursing greatness and being the best in everything, but we are all wired differently, and focusing on things I stink at (like any type of sport) would simply be a waste of my time.
I would love to say that I got it all figured out and that I have great balance to my life. The truth is I’m not even close; but I’m getting there.
So enjoy your life and make the most of it. Write down these things and figure out what moves you.
You’ll be glad you did.
