If you've been hanging out with me this month, you know I am addressing that dreadful feeling of overwhelm...And today, I'm going to walk you through the next steps to overcoming overwhelm.
Okay, let me set the record straight.
WE WILL ALL FEEL OVERWHELMED AT TIMES.
That is a given. It's not this occasional feeling I am talking about, nope, it's that ongoing, nagging, s-t-r-e-s-s-f-u-l place of never being enough, never getting it all done, or wanting the world to stop so you can get off and take a break.
If you have said to yourself or others, "I just need a break," or "I want to take a day (or an hour) off just for me," but you know down deep if you took that hour or day you'd spend it on errands, emails, or other things you need to catch up on...Well, just maybe you are beyond that occasional overwhelm and you are smack dab in the middle of overwhelm as a lifestyle.
So, my lovely Lead-Her, I'm popping in again this week with some
thoughts for you to think about,
stories to share, and
freebies to help guide you
as you develop your personal road map to the land of peace and freedom from overwhelm.
If you haven't had the chance to get started on this journey with my FREE TOOLS and random encouraging short videos, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND (did I make my point) that you download and get started with STEP 1...Tracking Your Time. And don't worry momma, I'll be right there with you, checking it to make sure you are staying the course, helping you get your footing, and sharing some ideas.
But, if you are ready to forge ahead, I'd like to discuss some other action items that are vital as we work to Overcome Overwhelm.
In last week's blog, I introduced Step #1- Time Tracker, and Step #2 - Pinpoint the Cause. I asked some bold, hard, and scary questions and if you missed it, be sure to go back and read.
This week I'd like to introduce you to the idea of 'Editing'.
TIME TO EDIT
Sometimes when I use Grammarly to edit my blogs, it suggests crossing out certain words, removing unnecessary commas, or using alternative phrasing with the help of AI.
When my editor makes a suggestion, I can take it or leave it. Ultimately I get to choose.
This is what editing is all about.
Looking for a better way,
taking recommendations and suggestions,
and choosing.
In her book, "Breaking Busy," Alli Worthington discusses the idea that God often invites us to edit out something good (or difficult) in our lives to make way for something great.
She introduces the idea of NATURAL EDITS; Limitations we have and the losses we will suffer if we step outside of those limitations.
She goes on to share that God gives us guardrails; things in our lives that we are just not created to do and we know it. These are pretty easy to determine (I am NOT an administrator, so don't ask me to keep your calendar). However, these guardrails might be difficult to stay within because we are busy trying to please others.
An easy Natural Edit might be something you are naturally not good at, it adds stress because it is not something you are called to do, but you have committed to it.
A number of years ago, recently divorced and trying to figure family out, I found myself leading a group of about 25 young people on a trip to Washington DC. It all started as my idea but eventually, and instead of delegating, I assumed the responsibility of planning and overseeing the whole trip.
I was not gifted in administration, it was time-consuming. This event took me away from my #1 priority - my children and their well-being. I managed it all successfully, but it robbed me and my family of important time in the months of preparing for this event. I was s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d and overwhelmed. I hadn't paid attention to God's Guardrails and the natural edits of my own limitations.
If Jesus himself, Lord of the universe yet bound in a human body, didn't do more than God called him to do, neither should we. Jesus accepted his natural limitations. We too must accept our limitations. Then begin to proactively edit our lives. ~Alli Worthington
In addition, Alli challenges us to engage in PROACTIVE EDITING; something we need to stop doing or change the way we are doing it and be proactive (instead of reactive)
PROACTIVE EDITS might include:
Carpooling to practices,
Keeping the computer or phone out of the bedroom,
Making a weekly menu BEFORE going to the grocery (saves money and time),
Learning to time-block,
Limiting phone calls to 5 minutes.
As you evaluate the time wasters and life suckers, consider where you can make some edits. An edit can be done to eliminate the activity altogether or find a more efficient way of doing it.
perhaps if you are here, it's not just because you are tired of the overwhelm, but maybe your loving Father has more for you...something better...something greater. See Isaiah 55: 8-9
So beloved, it's time to become the EDITOR OF YOUR LIFE.
If you are ready to get started editing, join the journey and download your FREE Overcome The Overwhelm Personal Roadmap.
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