Taking on Too Much

We all know the feeling of taking on too much. It could be at work. It could be at home. We run the kids to their appointments, remember to pay the bills, cut the grass, and still need to remember to take care of ourselves.

It often feels as though we sprint all day just to get to bed before midnight. We run ragged and then hit the weekend hoping to squeeze in some fun and relaxation. Instead of fun, we end up working all weekend to get caught up for the moment.

It is during these times that I often forget to be grateful. Instead, I rush from to do item to the next task. Instead of appreciating the things in life, I focus solely on what I need to accomplish next.

It is no wonder why we make choices that hurt our long-term health. We don’t have the time or energy to plan a healthy meal or spend hours in the gym. We barely have enough time to wait in the line at the drive-thru.

Taking on too much can be healthy at times. It helps us realize our capability. We push to get through it and then feel accomplished.

But when that pushing becomes the way we live, we start to sacrifice our life for our to do list. We should remember that the to do list is to supplement our life not to dictate it.

This doesn’t mean we skimp. It means we must allow those busy times to rise without holding on to them. If we spend too much time overwhelmed, the consequences will come following behind.

The systems and habits approach to improvement is a great method for these busy times. If we can create systems and habits that perpetuate, we don’t have to stop and think about making those healthy choices. They become part of it.

We can carve out small amounts of time instead of expecting hours at the gym. We start to look at the systems and find small tweaks that help us improve.

The hardest time to start these new processes is during those times when we take on too much. But those are the difficult times so if we can manage to fit some time in, it will be more likely that we can keep it going once things slow down.

Start small. Find a small way to adjust to help avoid the burnout. As it becomes habit, we can add more. We can sculpt our time to make us aware of the good things in life. We can grow our appreciation.

Taking on too much happens to all of us. But those who hang on to that enormous amount of work can quickly succumb to it. Then, they form habits around it. When the pace slows, they fill it with more busywork.

But if we learn to adjust the systems and habits in life, we can take advantage of these slow moments by filling it with more appreciation and healthier options. Then, when the next wave of chaos hits, we will be ready to dive back in while still keeping those positive behaviors going, just at a minimum.