Finding Margin in My Life

One of my common sayings to folks is, “I’d rather be busy than bored.” I mean that, too. While I enjoy some downtime like everyone else, I get really fidgety really quickly if there is nothing to do.

However, earlier this year, I began noticing that I was having trouble with two things. One was saying “no” to any request made of me, and the other was concentration.

Then it hit me: maybe these two things are related. (Yes, I’m a little slow to put things together.)

So, a couple of months ago, I started a search. It is ongoing, and is also a struggle for someone who likes to get things done. The search was/is for ways to add margin back into my life. So far, the steps may seem small to you, but I am already feeling the effects in a positive way.

Among the changes:

• I quit a long-time fantasy football league. I am still enjoying playing fantasy, but am in fewer leagues, so I can concentrate on the teams I have (and, I’m doing quite well!).
• I unsubscribed from a few podcasts and blogs. I probably still have too many, but this one change a saved me hours each week.
• I gave myself a major extension on a writing deadline for our publishing company. The material will still get done, but it doesn’t have to get done in a matter of weeks.
• Oh, and you may have noticed that we have settled in on 3 blog posts most weeks instead of 5.

In addition, I have started dutifully keeping a to-do list for each day. I went old-school and keep a small spiral notebook with me at all times. Most days, there are 5-8 items on the list (today, there are 8), and having it by me constantly has really helped with concentration.

Now, you may read this and think that it is just a guy getting lazy. You may think it’s not spiritual for me to stop (or slow down) certain activities in my life. I want to challenge that thinking.

Are we to be busy? Yes. Christians need never be lazy. We need to be workers, and need to be diligent in our service of Jesus Christ. But why are we busy?

It’s not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised; the mosquito is swatted. (Marie O’Conner)

We must remember, Christians, that we are to care for all that God has entrusted to us, and that includes our physical bodies, our families, and other relationships. It also includes our personal time with Him, which is often the first thing that gets pushed to the edges of our lives. If we are spending all our energy doing more and more for everyone else, we are not being good stewards of all that God has given to us. As I told some friends, my goal in this search for margin is to slow down my schedule just a little bit before it slows me down.

My challenge for you today is really simple. Take a few days to really think about your life. Where is there a lack of balance? Where is there something that is causing you to feel drained, but you just keep doing it anyway? Do you struggle with finding margin–even “mental margin”–in your life?

Then say “no” to something. Drop something from your routine. Feel the joy that comes from being able to concentrate on just a few things. Be a good worker, but find the balance that is necessary to keep your body and relationships healthy.

Above all, make sure God is not marginalized.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to move on to #2 on my to-do list.

QUESTION: How do you find margin in your schedule, and why is it important to you?

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