I'm recently in love with a blog called Simple Mom. A neighbor recently shared the site with me and was feeling overwhelmed by all of the blogs and ideas and websites for moms that are available. But Simple Mom seems to be a one-stop shop. She has great ideas, Christian inspiration, and everything she shares makes sense. It's like having the perfect girlfriend give you all of her tips and tricks.
Her most recent series is "6 Keys to a Disorganized and Unproductive Day at Home." There are 6 separate posts...here's the list with each linked to the more detailed blog. Again, lots of great tips - check them out!
6. Neglect Yourself
5. Overcommit
4. Don't plan your Time
3. Have too much Stuff
2. Aim for Perfection
1. Don't Enjoy your Job
After reading the "Overcommit" post, I felt empowered to decline a recent request to help. If my calendar is free and I don't have much going on that day/week, I generally jump at the chance to pitch in, but that is the EXACT reason so many people tell me I'm overcommitted. So I turned this person down (giving the reason, feeling a little guilty that I'll spend that time at the gym, instead) and you know what happened? She responded with, "Thank you for your honesty, as it turns out, we have plenty of people who are available that morning, so don't feel guilty!" I need to remember that in certain situations, if I'm NOT the one to volunteer, someone else might be motivated to get involved. Something to think about for those of us who overcommit...of course, then I think of the times that there will be 1 or 2 people doing ALL of the work because no one stepped up. Hmmmm. What am I saying? Here I go psyching myself out again. You can't be all things to all people. I'll end on that note.
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2 comments:
I have been known to overcommit, too, and I've also learned to say no. Even if it's just that I need a little down time for myself. I felt guilty the first time I told someone I couldn't help, but then I realized that someone else would get the opportunity to do it, maybe someone who wouldn't have ever been asked if I'd felt obligated to respond with a "yes."
I have struggled with this for years. We moved churchs about 6 months ago and I haven't been involved in anything - whereas at our other church (where my hubby and I had been for over 10 years) we were running oodles of stuff and I was spending a couple of days a week there in the office. I loved it - but in moving churchs and (for once) sitting back and just being in the service, I realise how distored my priorities were before. I saw the more 'work' that I did, the better I felt about myself and I thought God was more pleased with me too, instead of being 'with' Him, I was doing stuff 'for' Him.
Sounds complicated, but basically, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I am learning to say 'no' to certain things, so that I can spend time on the important things (one of which is helping at my dauhter's kindy and my son's school - actually getting out there and being a witness to a non-christian sphere).
I'll go now... I ramble for ages... :)
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