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We can all become overoptimistic of our capabilities at some point in our lifetimes and then find ourselves overwhelmed with all that we have going on if not careful. Past the need to focus on our priorities and knowing who we are, there will be times in our lives that we find that we have too many things going on. Being busy and overwhelmed never helps anyone. I believe that all of us can and should continuously tweak our schedules, so that we can find more bandwidth on a daily basis. Now, by no means do I have a perfect schedule. I am currently in the process of discovering how I can make my own schedule better and hiring more people to make it all work. But, I have discovered life-giving keys during this process of keeping a better schedule. The closer you get to finding what works for you, the more often you will be able to work in your passions and purpose.
So, here are four tips that have proven useful to bringing balance back to my own schedule, and I know they will help you as well:
1. Know what you want from your schedule before committing.
This is an easy step to overlook, but it is necessary to bring a balance to your life. What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? Who do you want to spend time with? You need to realize the answers to these questions now, so you can commit to the right things later.
2. Learn to say “no”.
Sure, saying “yes” to more opportunities is what helps you to begin doing new things, but you need to know when enough is enough. Sometimes the best thing to say is “no”, even to those things you may enjoy doing. This is important in order to allow more room for the things that you were made to do.
3. Quit double the amount of activities you begin.
In order to get my schedule back in order, I have quit more activities in the past week than I ever have before. I have found that a good rule of thumb is to quit doing two things for every one thing you start doing. I have adopted this practice and it is absolutely liberating. It will also constantly remind you what your priorities are.
4. Realize that life changes and stay engaged with where your heart remains.
Know that the commitments you make today may not be your heart a year from now. That’s why it is important to hear what your heart is saying, and to also be engaged with the life you are living. When you are self-aware, you can better anticipate issues that may arise in the future. This should be a routine practice you commit to at least every month to keep the activities you are committed to in line with your pursuits.
Good tips for an important mindset transformation! An acquaintance who is very interested in genealogy told me she had read hundreds of letters passed down from her ancestors, dating back into the 1800’s. The word “busy” is very rarely found in that correspondence in letters written before the 1950’s.
That’s very interesting, Glenn. I’m going to research that more. Maybe it’s a change in mindset?
I’m with you, Adam. I’m constantly needing to guard my schedule. It’s all too easy, especially when there is an entrepreneurial element involved where you’re at the helm, to start taking on “more.” In line with one of your own four points here, one of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve gotten (and passed on as a chapter in my book) is this:
You can finesse it a bit so as not to be rude, but “Oh, man, I won’t be able to help this time,” said with a smile of regret — is enough. We don’t have to apologize, grovel or explain in order to say “No.” Just say it kindly. The need to over-explain is something inside of us; but most people don’t care to hear it. Keeping it simple puts the onus back on others to ask, “Well, why the heck not?” which is, in fact, the rude thing. (Of course, a bit more explanation is OK if it’s a spouse or close friend, but we’d hope they would understand and be rooting for our not being overextended to begin with.)
That’s really good advice, Erik. I love that – “No” is a complete answer.