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Are you doing too much?
How often do you think to yourself, “I really need more to do?”
It is natural for most passionate people to fill their buckets with a bit too much at some point in their lives. Well, since it’s natural, does that mean we should just push forward and ignore our current state? Our rational selves would likely answer, “No!” So intellectually, we know we should be doing less. Still, that knowledge doesn’t translate easily into change.
Personally, I justify doing “too much” because I feel I have no other options. Soon enough, I become stuck in a cycle, thinking that I simply have to deal with the pressure and get through that particular episode. Of course, thoughts like those leave me feeling pretty defeated. Add to those the opposing thoughts of “I really am doing too much,” and you’ve created a pretty strong opposing team. Why? Because none of these thoughts give you any insight into how you can turn that knowledge into change; that is, without moving to a deserted island with no Internet service. Unfortunately, that’s not really an option for me right now.
Negativity feeds negativity, which leaves one with precious little internal strength. Because of that conundrum, we’re often left feeling helpless and continue doing “too much” just because we don’t know what else to do.
An Alternative Perspective
A quote by Robert Holden offers us a different way to consider our options:
As we become even more strongly addicted to the pursuit of happiness, we are in no way prepared for happiness when it arrives.
Will you let the pursuit of what you’re doing (which is almost always too much) conceal your ability to enjoy life and the fruits of your work? Well, if you value internal happiness, you won’t let this happen. So how do you create the space you need and room enough to breathe without dropping everything?
The Hardest Part
Many times, I’ve resisted thinking about this question by responding quickly, “I don’t have a clue!” In reality, however, we know exactly what we must do. It’s just a struggle to actually do it.
Answer these questions as honestly as you can.
-> Why are you doing too much? In other words, what are the goals of this work?
-> What can you sacrifice to create the breathing room you need?
Then comes the hard part; actually making the required sacrifice.
Is it worth it? Well, that’s for you to decide. For me, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
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Huffington Post – 10 Ways to Nourish Your Inner Zen: Part Two
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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 9:32 pm and is filed under Goals & Productivity, Top Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
13 Responses to “Are you doing too much?”
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Twitter: benspoont
says:
-> Why are you doing too much? In other words, what are the goals of this work?
I am doing “too much” because I am trying to support someone really close to me! Undoubtedly this leaves me a feeling that I am actually not doing enough!
-> What can you sacrifice to create the breathing room you need?
I try to carve our a few hours in the day where I can do something for myself like workout. This allows me a little breathing room, which I find helps me to gain focus and work harder and more effectively towards my goals!
Twitter: benspoont
says:
Meant to add — Thank you for making me think about the things we can do to help alleviate some of the self-added stress that we all accumulate from time-to-time!
Twitter: clrsimple2
says:
Thank you for doing too much! We’re both doing “too much!” Thank you Ben for supporting me 1,000%! Hmmm do you think Lila does too much? She may think so – poor Lila Rose!
Great article! The malaise we all suffer from today is DOING WAY TOO MUCH. Technology perhaps has some role in this. With the computer, we multitask. We are reading, writing, listening to music, replying emails, etc. And if we feel we don’t do those things, we’re wasting time. Like hamsters running in their exercise wheel. I think one way of helping ourselves is to create just 3 things to do in a day. I know 3 things sound too few… but it does orient me to focus on just 3 things. 3 things at work. 3 things at home. Also slowing down will help. Does the email need to be written right now? Can I defer it? Also I close my Gmail when I am working on serious stuff because checking email all the time means I get sucked into ‘doing’ mode again. Which means distraction.
Twitter: clrsimple2
says:
Thank you so much for commenting, Krista. Technology definitely plays a role for me! 3 Things is such a powerful strategy that I find works well too. If you haven’t read the Power of Less, definitely check it out — really great book by Leo Babauta. And of course Perseverance :)! Again, thank you – so happy you enjoyed the post!!
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I used to do too much. Then I was diagnosed with cancer at 27. It knocked me on my ass and I wasn’t able to do anything at all. Now I have found a balance. I have little tolerance for unnecessary drama these days and I’ve discovered that the self created stress of not knowing my own limitations is way too much drama for me.
Hope you are doing well and not doing too much yourself!
Kairol
Twitter: clrsimple2
says:
Kairol, so happy to hear from you! Thank you for sharing your personal perspective!!
TGIF Just would like to say how much You inspire Me. Thanks a million times over.
Twitter: clrsimple2
says:
And thank you for your incredible support — means so much to me!
Interesting question. I find myself more as someone that needs to hear that quote about pursuit of happiness, rather than make myself less busy. I think I set up a lot of goals and intentions for myself with the idea that the completion will bring happiness, rather than the journey itself.
It’s something I’m working on. Thanks for bringing this to light!
Twitter: clrsimple2
says:
Hi Jess! I definitely thought you would like the “pursuit of happiness” quote :). Before I wrote the post, I was going to email it to you! How crazy!! I think we’re both big dreamers and doers which makes the journey difficult, but still filled with great happiness. We just have to remember to focus on it!
It’s actually comforting to hear that others experience this phenomenon — in my little world, I’m the only one who seems to struggle with this! I’m surrounded by people that are “bored” & seem to have endless hours in their days. Just today I had to really focus on asking myself one of the questions you posed: “What can I sacrifice to create the breathing room I need?” It’s a real struggle for me since I feel EVERYTHING on my to-do list is vital. They say recognition is the first step; I can’t wait till I’m able to incorporate a better balance between work & play into my life. :)