The Poison of Hurry
Why is everyone in such a hurry?
Do we speed and angrily pass each other on the road because we are excited to get to work? I doubt it! Yet, we find ourselves rushing everywhere with immediate annoyance if someone gets in our way, whether on the highway or in the grocery checkout lane.
Why did the person in front of me just take the parking spot that should’ve been mine? Why does the cashier move at a snail’s pace with a long line in front of me? Why does the bank open an hour later on Saturday when there are garage sales to explore early? Why, why, why am I in such a hurry?
I call this the “saga of busyness.” There are times when personal and professional schedules will be demanding, but we are more in control of how we spend our time than we act like we are. The problem is that we often have trouble saying no to social invitations or requests from our co-workers even when our plate is full. We set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and then rush to get it all done. And because we can barely fit it in, we stop taking time for ourselves.
We quickly neglect the activities we do for enjoyment rather than for checking a box off the to-do list – reading, watching a favorite show, exercising, or spending time with family and friends. Yet, those who routinely prioritize these self-care activities report higher levels of happiness, greater job satisfaction, and better sleep. So why are these activities what we are most likely to neglect because we are simply “too busy”? Too busy quickly leads to fatigue, deteriorating health, and feeling burnt out and discontent. It is quite literally a poison that spreads through us physically and mentally.
There can be many reasons why we live in the land of busyness. For me, there’s often a disconnect between what I think I can accomplish and what I realistically have time for. I try to cram too much into a day or week and when my superwoman cape doesn’t work, I become frustrated with myself and disappointed that my goals were not met.
The next time you feel the saga of busyness taking over, pause and reflect on why you are in such a hurry. Use previous experience to estimate how long each task will take that you’d like to accomplish and then decide what you should realistically expect to finish that week – with some “me time” carved in too. It’s much better to plan too little and have extra time to add a task than to be overwhelmed by too much, so be conservative.
Try this technique, and you may just discover that slowing down isn’t falling behind, but rather catching up with yourself and becoming more in tune with your needs so that you remain energized for all that life throws at you.
If you think some extra guidance in organizing your schedule and including time for yourself would be beneficial for you, coaching can be a great resource to talk through a plan that fits your needs. I’m ready to navigate that journey with you.
Comments