When in Excess, Trim the Fat

I just returned from a holiday trip to visit my family, and like all other trips in the past, my wife and I returned with more than we went with. Not just gifts, but leftovers from holiday meals (don't ask), hand me downs that my parents don't want (which I don't mind at all), but it can be a little overwhelming. What would normally have taken a few trips from the car to the house in  unloading now becomes a full blown expedition where I feel pack animals are needed just to unload the van.

As I sit in my living room surrounded by the remnants of my trip it reminds me that too often we over burden ourselves with tasks, calendar events, to-do's and other engagements then we know what to do with. The effects of our overcommiting don't seem to fall on us until we sit down during a still moment and think "what did I just do?" It happens to be the best of us.

Setting Goals for Guidance

Setting goals is for sure something all of us should do. These goals should control the boundaries of what we do and don't do. In a sense, if an opportunity or task comes up, if it doesn't fit the end goals you're trying to achieve, say "no", or put it off until a later time. The word "No" doesn't have to be an evil work, but it'll definitely keep you sane.

I suggest you pick two or three major goals to conquer and do them well. I think we'd all be surprised at just how much stress we can avoid by not committing ourselves to every great opportunity that comes along. I also suggest that you evaluate your efforts on a regular basis, keep yourself in check. Are you stagnant? Are you making progress? Are you losing ground? Use the answers to these questions as measurements of where you stand and adjust as necessary. These are the boundaries you've made for yourself, they can be as strict or as flexible as you make them.

Importance of Saying "No"

Saying "no" can be extremely liberating. By exercising your right to do so, there are a number of benefits. First and foremost you relinquish the burden of feeling like you have to do something. Nothing is worse then feeling like something has to get done, even when you don't want to do it. You also get to avoid letting people down with the sub-par work that comes from feeling forced to do something. While we may have entered with the best of intentions, we are left with only the desire to get it out of the way. Doing this can leave you in a position where you provided less than your best and your friends are left disappointed.

Always remember that the time is yours, what you choose to fill it with must ultimately be something you enjoy doing, otherwise why do it? Take a look at your goals for 2010, perhaps you've carried over some from 2009, do they fit the plan for yourself? Do you see yourself excelling in new ways with your goals. It's okay to be stingy with your time in this instance, the reward for doing so is priceless.

Photo Credit scottwills