Distraction or Direction
We hear it all the time, “How are you?” “Oh, so busy” is most often the reply.
If you are like me, you like to be busy. I often take on too much though. I don’t leave enough margin in my calendar for things that come up. There is invariably one or two unexpected interruptions in my week.
I have a number of factors from my past that give me pause. I have some alcoholism in my family ’s history and other addictive personalities that concern me. It is not that I am overly worried about developing a neurosis, because I have a number of trustworthy people around me to keep me in line or at least let me know if they think I am off track.
I just take time to do a little self evaluation on occasion. Perhaps, everyone should.
It is important to take inventory of goals, activities and what the calendar has actually revealed about how time is spent. There are a number of goals that I have that require very specific actions. Others, like making my husband happy are a bit nebulous, but I know what he cares about.
We plan to pay off all unsecured debt. This is a very attainable goal. We have a plan. I know what is required. If I don’t hit my mark one week, I can make it up the following. When I know that there are upcoming expenses or days that I won’t be able to work, I can compensate.
My evaluation moves from logistics to motives. I can know what I am doing. I can plan it perfectly, but there will always be things that come up unexpectedly. Leaving open times will usually be enough to allow it to come together.Motives are different. ‘Why?’ is super important to me.
I work my job as a nurse for multiple reasons. I care about my clients. I need a paycheck. A decrease in hours for too long would require extra continuing education for me, if I wanted to start back up again.
Volunteer work satisfies a need to be a net contributor. It often restores my faith in humanity and always restores my faith in God. I meet many people in my capacity as a Board member of three different non-profits. I love people and work hard to make them feel valued and valuable.
A few of my friends and I travel and deliver speeches for much the same reasons, but there is a component of bringing awareness and justice when I speak. If there is one person in an audience that is healed or someone is moved to provide a solution, it’s a great accomplishment.
My attention to my home and family can suffer, if I am not careful though. I only cook a few meals each week. My children are grown. So, we share the responsibility around the house. Our relationships are the most important thing. Having real conversations is much more important than anything else. We work carefully to communicate often.
In what ways do you evaluate whether your time is used to be a distraction or spent in the direction of your goals?