I have a confession to make. It's been something I have been dealing with for awhile *deep dramatic sigh*........I am what most people call an overachiever, and what I personally call a busy bee. Pretty sure you ladies and gents have heard this phrase thrown around plenty of times often time as a joke but for me it's been a way of life for as long as I can remember. I am the person that struggled with saying the word NO especially when I knew my plate was already full (PPS- People Pleaser Syndrome...we'll talk about that another time), I was that person that refused to delegate because I had the mentality "If I want it done RIGHT I have to do it myself"--- if you have had this thought like me (be honest with yourself) I can honestly say you may suffer from one or both of these problems, lack of TRUST or a spirit of PRIDE.
As for me it was a
mixture, I didn't trust in others because I've occasionally been let down... I
also really didn't like being DEPENDENT on someone else, the act of being
vulnerable is something that scared the living stuff out of me. When it came to
PRIDE I simply wanted all the praise & glory for whatever activity, I enjoy
being complimented and all that jazz. How foolish was I! Knowing that my God is
a jealous God and it's by his grace I have been given the ability and
opportunity to do the things I do. If you guys haven't realize yet humans are
unstable 0_0 the same voice we use to compliment we us to tear into shreds. The
only stable approval we need in regards to our
life is that of Christ.
At the peak of my busy
bee days you could find my head spinning in a million direction, moving at an
abnormal speed, starting a hundred things but really not getting ANYTHING done.
Just to get you to see what I am talking about we'll explore Undergrad life. I
was a Resident Assistant, President of a Multicultural Student Union, Secretary
of a faith based club, an employee in my Student Center, was in a committed
relationship with a random, and a
waitress at a restaurant....ohhhh
almost forgot I was also a FULL-TIME student. Now to some of you that may not
seem a lot but for ME it was so much because I often relied on my own energy
rather than receiving help from those who truly wanted to help out. Most
importantly through all of this...chaos...my relationship with my source of
energy/life/peace/joy, my sustainer, GOD, was placed on the back burner. I was
OVER IT all!
Are you currently
feeling BURNED out? Do you feel like you are doing a million things but when
you take inventory you realize nothing is truly getting done? I was in the same
boat, and don't get me wrong I haven't arrived yet.... and won't be arriving it
will always be a conscious effort to
keep things in their proper time and place. But THANK GOD I am not where I used
to be!!
There is nothing wrong with being a busy bee, the problem comes when things/activities take priority over what should be most important in your life which are GOD first and foremost and family (relationships). Does the saying "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36 ESV ring a bell? I had a "light bulb moment" during my season of busy bee chaos---- WHY NOT ASK THE CREATOR OF TIME HIS INPUT ON HOW I SPENT THE TIME HES GIVEN ME? .........shocking to even consider this huh, well I decided to check out what the Bible says about time management----side note: figuring out that the Bible has answers for my current life has been mind-blowing.
Time
Management Tips Biblical
1. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8- "For everything there is a season, a time for
every activity under Heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to
plant and a time to harvest.....A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be
quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war
and a time for peace."
Written by King Solomon
aka "Wisest man in the World" during his later years as a reflection
of his life, note a key point is made in these verses which is timing
is everything. In our society today we have developed a "got to
go" mentality, the faster the process, the easiest way to get it done is
often time the option we choose. Multitasking has become an attribute that we
try to do in every area of our life. When God says differently..... He states
that there is a time/season for everything under the Heaven so (TIP 1: Stop rushing the process and give
each thing in your life its proper time to grow....stop the pesticide mentality).
Recognize that time is a GIFT not a RIGHT and learn to seek, accept, and walk
in God's perfect timing.
2.
2 Peter 3:8- "But do not look this one fact, beloved, that
WITH the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one
day"
I don't know about you
guys but this verse just blows my mind. The word of God says "In the
beginning GOD CREATED" there was nothing before He decided to speak
and that includes TIME. God is the creator of time, but he is not constrain by
it, He has the ability to work in and out of it. This is the God we serve! So
this brings me to ( TIP 2: Invite God
into your daily living & decision the small and the big!) As I type
this know that this is directed towards me as well, but doesn't it just make
sense to walk with the Creator of Time rather than fight against Him. Don't
let your fear of being let down, vulnerable, or your pride to get in the way. Please don't. For it continues to
say in verse 9 "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise
as some count slowness, but is patient toward you...." God is a gentleman he will not force you to
walk with him but he will patiently wait for you.
3.
Ephesians 1:10- "As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite
all things in him, things in Heaven and things on earth."
You may be completely different from me but when I was busy being busy I was extremely lonely. I was so stuck on doing things alone that I miss out on opportunities to share in moments with loved ones. (All though not all activities is for us to partake in, important for us to guard our gates Proverbs 4:23) I lost not only my peace of my mind, and almost my sanity but the blessing of unity. (TIP 3: Ask for help! Seek wise counsel on tasks before you say yes and invite people especially those who are invested in seeing you succeed with no desire of personal gain to give assistance)
If
you are just not in the SPIRITUAL, relationship part........yet.......
below
are "practical steps"
1. Learn to say NO with class. There is nothing wrong in recognizing
that this extra project will just tip your balance scales completely off.
Saying no with class requires sweetness and practice. If possible refer that
person to someone that you believe that would be of assistance. Use your
strong, honey voice. Do not be bullied or guilt trip into doing something you
will resent later.
3.
Create a rewards system. As human beings we like to feel
good about things that we do. It's a fact,
reward systems have help us learn many lessons in life. Create a healthy
one for yourself. For me I have a "post it note system". I use post-it
notes, 3 colors---red, orange, blue to help me. Red: things that need to happen
that day, no excuses....orange: medium priority
things that can go to another day if pushed back however is placed as red
following day, and blue: relational, positive things and encouragement
that I want to get too as soon as possible.
4. Take inventory. Sometimes we have to do a check in, if you are
physically burned out you are most likely no longer balance. Check in and
rearrange your priorities. Take a breather, do an activity that gets you to de-stress
i.e. walk in a park, workout, dance like a crazy person in your own space,
listen to music. Then take a minute and write down everything that is going on
in your life and go through that list and figure out what you took on that you
don't necessarily HAD to and take proper action steps.
Love y'all,
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