Below is an editorial from a newsletter I subscribe to. It’s been awhile since I first read it but at the time I realized it was just what I needed to read. Isn’t if funny how that happens sometimes? Anyway I don’t know if you’ll get as much out of it as I did but I thought I’d take a chance and pass it along. Because what if you do? Jo
The Margins of a Great Life
This will go out on April 15th, the traditional income tax day in theU.S.
Here's a my advice: Don't pressure yourself like that!
We all have lots of deadlines and boundaries in our lives. The good part is that we usually know what they are. No one is surprised that taxes are due on April 15th. No one forgets the major holidays or their kid's birthdays. What we DO forget is to manage our lives so that we have plenty of "margin" around these things.
We forget to plan and manage our lives so that we have the resources we need. We forget to budget so we have the time, money or energy we need, when the time comes. We forget to manage our own lives well.
And, NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT than taking charge of your own life.
One of the most important principles of creating and living a GREAT life is maintaining plenty of "margin" or "reserve" around your life.
Margin refers to having plenty of time, space, money, energy, skills and tools around you at all times. Margin refers to handling whatever life throws at you with grace and humor, skill and patience.
When we are low on "margin" we get stressed. We become depressed, angry, anxious or confused. We get over-whelmed and eventually, it affects our health. Our blood pressure goes up; our quality of life goes down. We eat more and exercise less. We become tired and sluggish, which is a sign that our margins are even more compressed. It becomes a vicious (and deadly) cycle.
People with plenty of "margin" in their lives laugh more. They have more fun, and they get more done. They are far more productive because they have the tools they need. They have the skills, or know who to call. They manage their energy so they "show up" when life calls on them. They take care of their health, their relationships, their finances and their dreams.
Margin is the key to a great life. So, how do we get more margin in our lives?
First, do less. Millions of us seem addicted to "drama and excitement" in our lives. We schedule every minute, then seem surprised when things go wrong. Slow down! You can't do it all anyway, so pick and choose wisely. Do less and enjoy it more.
Second, respect your needs. We are all unique in how we process life. Some need more sleep, others have energy to burn. I "need" time to read every day. I don't know why and I don't know if that's "good" or "bad," but my life works better if I honor that particular "need." What are your needs? What brings you joy?
Third, be smart about your life. Tell the truth about what you want, what you value. Notice what energizes and excites you. Avoid things that exhaust or upset you. Arrange your schedule to suit you. If you're a morning person, great! If you're a night-owl, do your best work at midnight. Honor your individuality.
Notice the times when you run out of time, energy or skills and don't do that to yourself very often. From time to time, life demands an unexpected "bit more" and if you have enough margin, you can handle it with class and good humor. But if you get stressed very often, watch out! Manage your life so there is plenty of margin around the edges. It's the stuff fun is made of!
This will go out on April 15th, the traditional income tax day in the
Here's a my advice: Don't pressure yourself like that!
We all have lots of deadlines and boundaries in our lives. The good part is that we usually know what they are. No one is surprised that taxes are due on April 15th. No one forgets the major holidays or their kid's birthdays. What we DO forget is to manage our lives so that we have plenty of "margin" around these things.
We forget to plan and manage our lives so that we have the resources we need. We forget to budget so we have the time, money or energy we need, when the time comes. We forget to manage our own lives well.
And, NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT than taking charge of your own life.
One of the most important principles of creating and living a GREAT life is maintaining plenty of "margin" or "reserve" around your life.
Margin refers to having plenty of time, space, money, energy, skills and tools around you at all times. Margin refers to handling whatever life throws at you with grace and humor, skill and patience.
When we are low on "margin" we get stressed. We become depressed, angry, anxious or confused. We get over-whelmed and eventually, it affects our health. Our blood pressure goes up; our quality of life goes down. We eat more and exercise less. We become tired and sluggish, which is a sign that our margins are even more compressed. It becomes a vicious (and deadly) cycle.
People with plenty of "margin" in their lives laugh more. They have more fun, and they get more done. They are far more productive because they have the tools they need. They have the skills, or know who to call. They manage their energy so they "show up" when life calls on them. They take care of their health, their relationships, their finances and their dreams.
Margin is the key to a great life. So, how do we get more margin in our lives?
First, do less. Millions of us seem addicted to "drama and excitement" in our lives. We schedule every minute, then seem surprised when things go wrong. Slow down! You can't do it all anyway, so pick and choose wisely. Do less and enjoy it more.
Second, respect your needs. We are all unique in how we process life. Some need more sleep, others have energy to burn. I "need" time to read every day. I don't know why and I don't know if that's "good" or "bad," but my life works better if I honor that particular "need." What are your needs? What brings you joy?
Third, be smart about your life. Tell the truth about what you want, what you value. Notice what energizes and excites you. Avoid things that exhaust or upset you. Arrange your schedule to suit you. If you're a morning person, great! If you're a night-owl, do your best work at midnight. Honor your individuality.
Notice the times when you run out of time, energy or skills and don't do that to yourself very often. From time to time, life demands an unexpected "bit more" and if you have enough margin, you can handle it with class and good humor. But if you get stressed very often, watch out! Manage your life so there is plenty of margin around the edges. It's the stuff fun is made of!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Written & Published by Philip E. Humbert, PhD
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