Do You Need to Simplify?

A common theme among most of us, is not having enough time. I am so busy. I do not have time for anything. There is so much I want to do, but I do not have time. I would really enjoy doing this, that or another thing, but I just do not have the time. We are all very busy people. We over commit ourselves, do many things half way, not enjoy our lives and wish we lived another life. Is this you?

Hopefully this exercise will help you out.
I want you to write down everything you are committed to:
Family
Work
School
Church groups
Any group you are associated with
Projects at home
Duties at home
What ever you do that you are always SO busy with.

I also want you to write down everything you would like to do, the stuff you say, when I have time I will do:
Picking up a new hobby
Spending more time with your family
Going back to school
Traveling more
Sleep regularly
Whatever is on that list, write it down.

Look over your list. How many things are on it that you do not want to do, wish you could drop from your schedule? If you could take these few things out, life would be so much better.
On a side note, I know there are many things we have to do that we might not like, you might have to work to support your family, cleaning your house, laundry, cooking, running your kids a hundred different ways. I understand this, but this exercise just might help you to find balance and something you enjoy.

Next, write down the top three things you would love to add into your list, the if I had more time items.

Here is where the hard work comes into play.
What can you begin taking out of your busy schedule to have more time, either to rest and have down time or add in the things you would like to do?
You might not be able to drop items right away, some commitments you might need to see through. How can you not say yes to another obligation?
How can you approach someone and say, I can no longer be involved in this task. This date is my last day. All of my responsibilities need to be turned over to someone else?
Maybe for your kids, instead of having them involved in multiple different activities, have them pick the two or three they want to pursue and continue, stop the rest. Kids are being over booked today as well and they are suffering from it. Work with them to lessen their commitments and have down time.
Is there another job you would like to do? What steps can you begin to take to peruse this knew path?

By the end of the month, make a commitment to yourself or a friend to hold you accountable, to find two or three things on your busy list that you can either eliminate or lesson your responsibilities too. Steps you are going to take to take cut the "buys things" in your life that are robbing you of your true happiness and how you will begin to do what you really want. What is going to make you happy and enjoy this one beautiful life you have.
Do not think you cannot take some of these things out, you can. You have to want to. You have to be willing to go against the norm, the lies of always having to be busy and do things and stuff that is not important to you. You have to decide you are going to make the change to live a more joy filled, happy, simple life. No one else can do it for you.

Are you ready to make a change?

Saving the world one stick of butter at a time.
God bless,
Jenn