After the all-too-recent my-kid-might-have-lymphoma scare? There are some things that have been going right.
For one, after a year of doing my freelance writing and marketing for my only employment, I filed for my own business. I am now the owner of Fresh Ink, LLC. So that’s pretty cool.
And somehow, I’m receiving a windfall of client possibilities and realities I’m pretty excited about.
But something was strange this week: at least two days where I dealt with anxiety. Not panic attacks or anything of that sort–though I know those are real for many people. But more of a low-lying GAHHHHH! That’s not usually me.
Thankfully, I don’t feel like my family is getting the business end of that in any major ways, which is significant for me (and my anger problem).
But I talked to a mentor of mine this morning, also a writer. Paraphrasing my question, how do you know when you’re involved in too many good things?
Too Much of a Good Thing?
I think of God’s words to Moses:
What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. (Exodus 18:17-18)
I’ll include his answers below–and you might want to check out The Dangers of Overcommitment, The True Cost of Overcommitment, and Your opportunity…vs. Your Call. (Man. I probably should, too.) I also found a lot of good thoughts in Ruth Barton’s Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, which I can’t recommend highly enough.
After living so many years out of the country, I’m amazed at how my American ideals of achievement and performance really do color my interpretations of thriving Christianity. I think too highly of myself. My “ministry “plans can be ego-driven plans. I lack the humility to embrace the limits of my humanity, the boundaries God’s put in place. I find identity in what I do for God, rather than what he has done for me.
So I have to constantly re-center my soul on “Kingdom culture” instead–looking under the hood to check out my warning lights.
Shall we?
Dashboard-Light Questions: Could I be Overcommitted?
- Are there things I usually love that I don’t like right now?
- How would I describe the health of my closest relationships–and how I’m responding to those nearest to me right now?
- Am I compromising quality on the work that matters to me?
- Am I making time for–and enjoying–quality spiritual rhythms right now, like solitude, silence, prayer, meditation, journaling, and self-examination?
- Am I irritable or hypersensitive?
- Are my sleep habits being affected?
- Am I restless? Fantasizing about escape?
- Do I have “white space” in my day to simply live, think, and enjoy?
- Am I compulsively overworking, or as Barton notes, “unable to stop or slow down even when that would be appropriate–like at night after dinner or on vacation”?
- Am I unable to engage emotionally?
- Am I spending spare time in activities that help me escape (TV, surfing the net, compulsive eating or drinking), or that give me life?
- Do I feel like I’m going through the motions in things that matter, like listening to or caring for others, ministry, etc.?
- Am I feeling impulsive?
- Am I weighing what I say “yes” or “no” to?
- Am I caring for myself in heart? Body?
- Do I feel threatened when people ask me for favors, because I don’t feel I have the resources?
- Is my body showing signs of stress (tics, jaw clenching, eczema, digestive issues, etc.?)
- Am I falling into the “stressed version” of myself?
