Being Busy

Being busy is almost a status symbol in this city. And, it can be argued that busy people are important people. I once fell into that line of thinking.

My days once started at 4:00 a.m. with medium length runs of 5-8 miles. During the week days, these runs were followed by a day of work, social outings with friends 2-3 nights a week in the evening, and trying to get to bed by 8:30ish. During the weekends, my long runs were followed by community service or church. At one time, I was working with six non-profits in the city--writing, tutoring, organizing, donating, mentoring, fundraising and whatever else I could do to fill up my time.

I think I latched onto this life style of being busy for two reasons. First, there was a lot of stuff I wanted to do before getting married i.e. learning to cook, being in the best shape of my life, and managing my finances well. Second, I wanted to experience everything city life had to offer and that kept me busy. Here is a page out of my October 2009 agenda:

But, in early 2011 a friend gave me a life-changing book entitled Next Generation Leader. The first chapter "You Are Doing Too Much" was a wake-up call. The chapter explains that the less you do, the more you accomplish and that the secret of concentration is elimination. 

I got it! By cramming every free minute with activity, I was giving up the valuable time I needed to focus on my purpose for being on earth. So, I began dropping things. I gave the hospital a year notice that I would not be writing for their publication anymore. I gave the community college a semester notice that I would not be tutoring. I turned down a role in the women's ministry at church, and I decided that I would be intentional in intertwining my commitments with my purpose. And, I'm doing better. Here is a page out of my February 2013 agenda:

And, the year and a half of dropping things is paying dividends. I feel less pressure, I have time to sit and think, I no longer feel perpetually tired, and I no longer have the nagging feeling like I am always on a deadline. But, most importantly, I feel like I am working towards my purpose in life--to help rebuild families...beginning with my own.