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Are You Always on the Run?
Did you ever notice when you ask some folks how they’re doing, they respond that they’re really busy? I ask myself, “Is that good?” Are they suggesting that being busy shows how popular, in-demand, and successful they are? I guess their answer implies that the more frenzied they act, the better they’re doing. Does that make any sense to you? Are you always on the run?
Start Doing More by Doing Less
Looking for ways to calm your hectic lifestyle? Try these 30 ideas on for size:
- Think before you do.
- Say “no.” (And don’t feel guilty about it.)
- Fight the BIG battles.
- Ignore distractions.
- Avoid the drama.
- Ask for help.
- Don’t look back.
- Never reinvent the wheel.
- Learn from others.
- Tell the truth.
- Combine similar tasks.
- Keep problems in perspective.
- Leave work at work.
- Appreciate what you have.
- Say “I’m sorry.”
- Settle for excellence rather than perfection.
- Find a shortcut.
- Let it go.
- Learn from mistakes — yours and others.
- Plan for an emergency.
- Be honest with yourself.
- Prioritize.
- Learn the meaning of enough.
- Unsubscribe.
- Know your limits.
- Think ahead.
- Delegate.
- Remember…you’re human.
- Listen to your conscience.
- Just relax.
Think about it…we pack our day with commitments until we don’t have a second to breathe. Then, when we’re at the end of our rope and can’t possibly do any more, we add one more commitment — as if we’re trying to drive ourselves crazy. Of course, when the slightest thing goes wrong — which always happens — we get anxious and flip out. The house of cards collapses. Right? Rather than learn our lesson, we repeat the same mistake the next day. Run, run, run. The truth is, we’re so busy being busy that we fail to see the error of our ways. Are you always on the run?
Are You Always on the Run?
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
Additional Reading:
Doing Nothing is Time Well Spent
Living in the Fast Lane
Change Your Priorities: Change Your Life
30 Habits That Create Enormous Distress
A Simple Reminder That Could Change Your Life
You May Regret Not Reading This
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Frankly, 30 ideas are simply too many to try on. If I were to pick one or two they might be to appreciate what you have and think ahead. The latter is even a challenge sometimes as I would rather contemplate now, well perhaps this afternoon too. Lately when people ask how I’m doing, I often respond with “Better, thank you for asking.” That inspires a different kind of conversation.
Hi Gary
There’s no rule that says that you have to implement all thirty items. In fact many items on the list may not apply to you. Take a look at the ones that are most appropriate and give it a go.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Hi Frank,
Instead of coming up with certain rules and strategies to slow our pace down, I prefer to go to the core of the impulsiveness of cluttering our life with to do list which you do at the beginning of your article. You said, “Are they suggesting that being busy shows how popular, in-demand, and successful they are? I guess their answer implies that the more frenzied they act, the better they’re doing.”
If we go to the psychological roots of this addictive behavior, unravel and come to terms with our self, then the needy-energy to stay busy will reside and a peace will spontaneously rule our activities.
You’re very wise, Mark. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Best,
Frank
“Busy” left my vocabulary some time ago, Frank. “I’ve been so busy.” has become a throw away attempt as a reason (read excuse/apology), by some folks, for not writing, calling, visiting, etc. We have 24 hours in a day. What we do in our waking hours is always a choice. Please forgive me for, perhaps, sounding somewhat harsh in this.
For me, I require stepping away from the “noise” on a regular basis throughout my waking hours. I often go outside and just…sit. Listen. Feel. Letting my thoughts run out and back. All my sensings/feelings are open, as much of my time is involved in what I call “head work”.
In both my “head work” and my “just [sitting]” I am in silence. There are, however, two kinds of silence. There’s the silence that’s filled with other folks thoughts, opinions, interactions, work, etc.; and, then there’s the silence that nourishes, refreshes, rejuvenates. I enjoy both.
Thanks for all your good work and words, Frank ~ always appreciated.
~ Jessan
Bravo, Jessan!
The difference between you and most people is that you took time to pause…reflect — and then you acted 🙂
This lesson can be applied to other areas of our life as well.
Some folks may be thinking, “I don’t have the time. I have a busy life.” The truth is, you don’t have to set aside a lot of time to do this. It’s a mindset more than an activity. We develop routine behaviors to help ourselves manage daily life. As time goes by, behaviors become habits that are imprinted in our subconscious. Wouldn’t you like to know if your habits are helping or hurting your growth?
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank