Comments on: 5 Signs You’ve Been Doing Too Much for Too Long

By: Carrie Johansen

Carrie Johansen — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 14:02:09 +0000

Some people's definition of life is working. We do have different ways of viewing things which are being overdone. Everything is okay, but with control and moderation. When we overdo everything we are creating our own disaster. We feed ourselves sometimes with too much dedication. Though, dedication is good, too much of it causes us to ignore things which are also important. https://www.spokanejunkremoval.org/

By: Vivian

Vivian — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 16:35:50 +0000

I need to stop doing too much in my school club and taking on too many tasks which stress me out. I need to implement the one thing at a time strategy to focus and be present. I need to list out 1-3 big priorities each day or even for each week and let the rest fill in naturally.

By: Bill Hord

Bill Hord — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 20:20:15 +0000

It’s funny. When I used to get overwhelmed at work, I would clear off some space on my whiteboard and made a list of the things that would “kill me first”. They were the must do things with hard schedule dates – promotions, raises, briefings to customers or upper management and those were worked until done. I let no interruptions stop progress. Now that I’m retired from that career and working on re-making myself, I forgot that trick until this reminded me. Distractions come easy – TV shows, social media, – easy to do with little value. Thanks for the heading check. Now, back to building my list.

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:23:48 +0000

Hi m
i was groomed by 2 bullies where i worked, until i started to respect myself and walked out of my job, i learnt alot about myself and now set boundaries, i am now grateful for what happened i am the bigger person and finally people love to work with me for i can handle myself now, don,t need to be validated, no more little me either and bullies know that, so turn it all around and see the best in it,
i sincerely hope its encourages you
much love
Jacqueline

By: thelifevirtue

thelifevirtue — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:16:34 +0000

busyness is somewhat an uncontrollable vice in today’s world but it can be balanced if one takes out time for himself and slows down. Thanks to the author this point has been explained beautifully here.

By: Cindy Pierce

Cindy Pierce — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 14:17:00 +0000

This article speaks to me in many ways-personally, professionally and in general I think the topic is spot on as to why there is so much hurriedness around all of us (traffic, congestion and unnecessary competition-especially in the area of social media.). Recently, my husband and I took an 18 day trip of a lifetime. We visited 5 countries. We had an excursion or two or three planned for every day. (I did take a 1/2 day off.). In hindsight, we should’ve focused on one event per day and relished our surroundings-no matter the perceived pressure from our travel mates. On our last day, we chose to stay in one place and absorb its qualities. It was very rewarding and we actually had time to learn about places in depth. Unfortunately, with some of our previously visited sites, I find myself looking at the pictures on my phone and having to research them after the fact! Next trip, no matter how far away we venture, I plan to slow down and relish the few experiences instead of desperately hitting all the “high spots” just for the sake of it. Lesson well learned. Thank you for the confirmation found in this article.

By: Nanette

Nanette — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:09:15 +0000

In reply to Laurie. Laurie, You have captured the beauty and drudgery, joy and grief, of growing in the understanding of the difference between living the daily details of the actions of caregiving informed by love versus having only the head knowledge of the names and descriptions of those actions. Your acceptance that life means embracing reality and it’s disappointments, as well as its joys, rather than holding onto to even good expectations is powerful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

By: Tracey

Tracey — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 12:51:28 +0000

In reply to Laurie. Thank you so much for sharing, Laurie; that was beautifully written and absolutely inspiring. Thank you for the reminder that, no matter what life has dealt us, we can (and we're meant to) be the very best version of ourselves RIGHT THERE. All the best to you and your very blessed children. ?

By: Luca Savoldelli

Luca Savoldelli — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:00:57 +0000

In reply to Alyssa. Life is a beautiful thing, but too often we complicate things. involuntary gestures or thoughts generated by anxiety take us out of reality. we must be conscious and live positively.

By: Layle

Layle — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 05:00:50 +0000

In reply to Laurie. Laurie, thank you for this. I have trouble expressing myself and you have done it perfectly for me. This account is absolutely beautiful and truthful to my life. I take great comfort in knowing that I’m not alone in all this. Thank you.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 22:54:23 +0000

I’ve felt the same way recently. It doesn’t feel good having to focus on so many things. I prefer to put my full attention on doing one task really well in my day. The older I get, the more I just desire simplicity. Less busyness, less drama, and just less stress overall. Not there yet, but getting closer everyday. I wrote an article on how to embrace simple living for the new year. Perhaps you guys might like it.

antimaximalist.com/20-simple-living-tips-for-2020/

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 17:46:11 +0000

In reply to Laurie. Wow! Is this straight from the heart? Are you a writer by chance? Because this is such an impressive read. If this were 100 chapters of a novel, I’ll read on. Captivating, touching, pathetic and eulogizing all at once.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 17:28:34 +0000

In reply to Laurie. Laurie, It has really supported me in being a parent of a child with special needs to participate in a group where others understand. This can be a group that meets in person or is available on-line or perhaps FB. It is essential to be heard by others who truly "get it" because they are walking the same walk.

By: Jennifer Winters

Jennifer Winters — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:45:28 +0000

In reply to Laurie. That was beautiful! You are exactly who you need to be and your children are very lucky to have you!

By: Elyse

Elyse — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:13:56 +0000

In reply to M.

M – I don’t know if you will see this. I too had a workplace bully & absolutely no one deserves to work with a bully.

You will get stronger & find a better job.

I wish I had something more substantial to offer – just wanted you to know that you are not alone.

By: M

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 15:01:35 +0000

After leaving my job of over 14 years, 6 months ago, (without having another job to go to, probably not the best decision I’ve ever made, since I support myself) due to sharing an office with a bully (leaving made me realize this), and changes in the organization that were causing stress in addition to the stress I was already under, I find I am lost, and feel a different type of stress, since every time I think of going back into the same line of work, my mood plummets. I told myself I have to figure out what living my best life would look like, and then live it….. So, I’ve identified who and what mean the most to me and realize a lot has to change, specifically working for much less money, but also, a lot less stress….. I took the first step by leaving the toxic work environment. From here, it has to get better, and it will I suppose, if I don’t give up. Thank you for the wonderful articles.

By: Yolanda Gomez

Yolanda Gomez — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:20:09 +0000

Spot on advice! I 100% agree that we all fill far too much of our lives with meaningless busyness and time-filler activities that don’t add value to our our lives. Too often I find that I’m just running in place as fast as I can and taking up time that could be spent more purposefully and mindfully. This has been one of my pain points over the years, and it’s something combined teachings of your emails, posts and course have helped me tremendously in recent times. Thanks for the continued support.

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:11:14 +0000

Marc, this post is a great reminder that most of us need daily — that a life filled with less busyness and a more mindful presence is necessary — something I know so well, and yet I needed you to say it just the way you did here.

Also, as I read this post I was reminded of a quote that Angel and you referred to in the Simplicity chapter of your book:

“Life is actually pretty simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

Point taken! Thank you, thank you, yet again!

By: Kathy from CT

Kathy from CT — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:51:58 +0000

In reply to Laurie.

I, too, had to learn to let go of who I thought I would be and embrace who I actually am. And I found the visual reminders of who I wasn’t was weighing me down. However, it was at such a subconscious level, I didn’t realize it unti I started removing the items from our home. It was like layers of guilt were being shed the more I purged.

Then I realized that was a negative analogy, so I decided to think of it like a flower blooming or a butterfly emerging. Much prettier, right?

So bloom away! You will love the flower or butterfly that you really are. Hugs!

By: David

David — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:35:04 +0000

I think a lot of this ailment is centered on the myth that busy people are more productive, and more productive people are more successful. Yet I have never seen a gravestone marked “very busy, and very productive.”

And I will counter point the “lost priorities” effect. People know their priorities, but its the constant pressure to settle for small trade-offs that cripple you over time. One less day vacation. Working even though your sick. Cutting down recovery time from ailments or surgery because you will be “so far behind.” A couple of extra hours Sunday morning. Checking email over Memorial Day…..

You want to treat downtime and vacation like an appointment. I always keep one day of the work week a “light day” by blocking out a four hour block of time. Its now “busy” to the outside world, but its all mine. If someone tries to schedule a meeting, I decline it or find another time where the team can meet. By the way, that time is Thursday afternoons, like right now.

Lastly, put away the screens. I read all about people who “got rid of their TV’s” but now are on the internet “learning”, “researching”, “connecting” or “communicating.” REALLY? Visit with people in person. Call five friends you have not talked to in a year or more, even if you just leave messages. I tried it last year, and found out it took leaving three messages on average BEFORE anyone called me back.

Try handwriting a letter, send a card with printed photos, just don’t stare at the screen. It will never love you back.

Enjoy!