I have learned so much over the past months that I could never begin to list them all. But these things are the ones that keep jumping out and are shaping who I am becoming. The last one I’m going to blog about is this:
4. I can probably do it all, but I definitely shouldn’t
I have learned to “just do it” when it comes to getting anything done. I learned long ago not to rely on anyone else, that I can do just about anything if I put my mind to it, and not to ever say “no”. While I’ve become very good at time management, cramming one more thing into an already overflowing schedule, I haven’t been very good at managing my time.
One of the problems with this is that I expect the same of everyone else. My thoughts are often, “What do you mean you can’t fit it in? I’ll tell you how you can get it done.” When those my expectations are not met, I get frustrated, especially if then it interferes with my plans.
Another problem is that in doing it all, I increase the pressure to push myself too hard. It’s not just getting as much done as possible, but getting it done as well as I can as much as possible. I can’t simply “get it done”, I want it done right. That either increases my frustration if it’s not “perfect”, or if it is I am so burned out that I can’t even enjoy it!
Doing it all not only increases my stress and limits my ability to fully devote to a few things well, doing it all denies someone else the opportunity to contribute their strengths and gifts. How long will people continue to offer or try when we keep saying “I can do it”? Allowing them to express and utilize their strengths builds a two-way, healthy relationship.
Receiving help is tough for me and giving up tasks I know I can do is not easy, but I’m learning I’m a much better person, leader and friend if I do..
Filed under: Christianity, Family, Friends, Health, Leadership, Ministry, My Life, Time management
Hmmm…your story sounds like mine. I think that the Enemy’s favorite lie to women is that we aren’t doing enough, or if we are we aren’t doing it well enough. What better tactic to keep us distracted, distraught and discouraged! I for one am learning to fight back by surrendering! Surrendering more to God, lying back on the great big mattress of His love, and learning to rest in His ability to get things done that are much too big for me to tackle. “His yoke is EASY and His burden is LIGHT” is the standard I’m learning to measure my activities by. If I’m getting overwhelmed it’s time to fall on my knees and ask God what He requires of me.
That was really great…I’m going to check out parts 1-3. Thanks for visiting me. I’ll be back to yours. Blessings.
I found your link at 5 Minutes for Mom but don’t see a ‘party’ post per se so I just browsed a bit. Sounds like some big changes in the works for you! I found your 4-part ‘Life is tough’ series interesting … and wish you well. If you have a few minutes, I hope you’ll drop by for some freshly squeezed lemonade and snacks … perhaps a chat on my patio. You can find my party post here (because I don’t know how to create a ‘sticky’ post yet):
http://smallreflections.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party.html
Hugs and blessings,
I find it hard to ask for help, too. But a lot of times that is exactly what people want to do – help out. They get to feel blessed that God was able to use them to help. My latest post is about ideas for Evangelism at Easter. You might be interested in it or telling someone at church about it. I think that this is a great time of the year to tell people about Jesus. Christmas and Easter are times that people are more open to Him.