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If you’re anything like me, your to-do list is never-ending. I always feel like I can fit in just one more thing, or pressured to do one more thing.
Here are several things I do to make decisions about what I can and can’t do.
- Know what your priorities are
This is one of the things we do during our yearly planning time. You can read about it in our book Purposeful Planning and in this article, Let Purposeful Planning Give Your Family an Opportunity to Make a Difference this Year. If you don’t know where you want to go, you will have difficulty getting there.
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has [enough] to finish [it]—” Luke 14:28 NKJV
Our lives are more than a tower, so it’s imperative that we take time to ask the Lord what His plans are for us and our family.
- Discuss your schedule with your husband
Dan is able to see the “big picture” better than I can, and he knows me well.
Rather than just look if the date is available, step back and look at the days/weeks before and after what you’ve been asked to do. That way you get a much better idea of how busy you are and if you will have the time and energy to add anything else.
For instance—we know that if we schedule more than one or two evenings a week we don’t do so well. We all get up early and we just get stretched too thin.
Like Bilbo says in Fellowship of the Ring—“I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
- Don’t answer right away
When asked to do something, I usually say “I’ll talk with Dan and get back to you.” That gives me time to pray and talk with Dan. Dan is willing to take the blame if he thinks I should say no, so I can say, “Dan doesn’t think I should do that now, but thanks for asking/inviting me. Perhaps next time will work.”
- Specify the amount of time or money you are willing to commit
This is one of the decisions we made in February when we planned our year. We were talking about our monthly giving to missionaries and organizations. Most of our commitments were open-ended.
It’s much more difficult to stop giving or participating in something if it doesn’t have an end date.
We’ve decided that from here on we will commit to a certain amount of time when we commit to giving or doing and reassess our decision at the end of that time.
Do you prioritize? Please share your ideas in the comments.
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Finding Joy in the Journey,
Phyllis
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Phyllis Sather
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10 Comments
Rebecca
I love this, there is some awesome advice in here! I love the waiting and talking with your husband before you commit. We are VERY picky with our time and commitments, life is so busy as it is. Thanks for sharing and linking up at Favorite things Friday. Don’t forget to add a link back to be eligible to be featured. Hope to see you again this week!
Phyllis Sather
Waiting to ask Dan has really saved me a lot of overbooking. We also have an agreement not to agree to any contributions on the phone. If they send us information we pray and discuss it otherwise we don’t give.
Simply Rachel
This is perfect! I, too, always ask my husband before getting back to the person. For me it gives me time to think and pray, but it’s also a respect thing for my husband (since typically I’m answering for both of us. lol.). Knowing our priorities is also a good one! I have a tendency to try and get it ‘all’ done, and then I work myself sick. My husband is good at keeping me in check and prioritizing what needs to get done, vs. a wishful want. 😉
Thanks for sharing and linking up to ‘Favorite Things Friday’ with Simply Rachel & Hip Homeschooling! Please remember to post a badge with link back to be eligible for a feature! I’d love to see you on my blog and social media sometime!
Hope N. Griffin
Thanks for linking up with #JoyHopeLive I’m looking forward to coming back Thursday for your blog hop. Hope you will link back up with us tomorrow. There is so much great advice in this post.
Phyllis Sather
Hi Hope,
I’ve been posting Thursday mornings, so I’ll be there after that. Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me.
Lori
Over the years, I have learned to wait for my husband to decide on things. This keeps me from overstepping a boundary and it gives him control over a situation so if a plan of action backfires, it gets both of us instead of just me. I know that sounds odd, but it really works for us with his leadership role. Thank you for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.
Phyllis Sather
Over the years…It amazes me that it takes me years to learn these kinds of things. Well not exactly learn, because I know many of them, but to put them in action in my own life is often a challenge. Thanks for stopping by.
Kathryn Fogleman
Thank you so much for sharing this! These are some great ideas that I think will be very helpful for me, personally.
Coming from #AfterMyCoffee link up.
Phyllis Sather
Thanks Kathryn. It is a big blessing to know something I’ve written will help someone.
Trena
Such an important thing to learn to say “no” and really LOOK at our schedules. We are so quick to respond “yes” and not really look at the calendar and other events. Thanks to sharing with #after my coffee.