DO YOU EVER go merrily along, enjoying all the good stuff that's happening in your life? Only to wake up one morning and realize somewhere along the way you've, once again, bitten off more than you can chew? Now you feel overwhelmed, weary, maybe even a little resentful that you're overloaded?
That's when it's a good idea to step back and re-evaluate what you've been adding to the mix of your days. You've probably heard the advice before: in order to simplify your life, when you buy something new for your house or wardrobe, you should also get rid of something.
It's the same thing when you're adding a new task, role, or job. Carving out time for your new project or business is a little like carving a jack-o-lantern.
First, you have to remove the inside of the pumpkin to make room for the candle to shine through. If you don't remove any of the flesh, if you don't carve out any holes, you'll have a funny looking jack-o-lantern with its light sticking out the top, instead of being nestled inside.
To layer a new venture on top of an already busy life is a quick recipe for burnout and discouragement. That's why it's important to create space in your life so your business (new hobby, new volunteer job, whatever) can flourish.
I learned this hard way... you cannot pile your candles on the outside of the pumpkin. You have to carve out space for them to function properly. Otherwise you might end up burning the house down...or something equally devastating, like experiencing a physical or emotional burnout.
Which means we need to come to terms with the fact that there will be trade-offs. And...we need to learn to be comfortable with it. It's recognizing that you need to decide what you'd rather have more -- do you want to stick with the present situation or do you want to move towards a new and desirable benefit? What do you want more?
Once you decide, you'll need to make at least one or two changes in your lifestyle and habits. How will you carve out time for it? What changes will you begin to implement this week....this month...this year?
Now go live successfully!
