Hi, how\u2019s it going? Hope you are doing well.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve talked to many people over the years who complained about being worn out. Some of them you could tell were at the point of exhaustion.<\/p>\n
The conversation usually went something like this: Me: \u201cHow are you doing today?\u201d Them: \u201cYou know, I\u2019m doing pretty good; I\u2019m just so tired.\u201d Me: \u201cYou look tired. Have you been getting any sleep?\u201d Them: \u201cA little. Not as much as I need to.\u201d Me: \u201cWell, why not?\u201d Them: \u201cI\u2019ve always got so much to do. I hurry around doing everything with no time to take a break during the day, and then I have to take a while to wind down before I go to bed otherwise I can\u2019t sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Me: \u201cI\u2019ve been there, but that\u2019s when it\u2019s time to cut back on some of the things you\u2019re doing.\u201d Them: \u201cOh I can\u2019t cut back! My loved one needs me and I have to work and I\u2019m not going to drop\u2026\u201d Do you see how this is a self-defeating conversation?<\/p>\n
Today it seems like everyone is always on the go. It\u2019s always hurry, hurry, hurry and go, go, go!<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s my suggestion for how to combat exhaustion: STOP!<\/p>\n
Now, I know what you\u2019re thinking. You can\u2019t drop everything. You can\u2019t ignore things that are really there. You can\u2019t take too much time out of your busy day or you won\u2019t get anything done. You have obligations.<\/p>\n
Well that\u2019s all fine, but you have to remember, your biggest obligation is yourself! Your second obligation is your loved one, whom you can\u2019t take care of unless you first meet your own needs. So it is necessary sometimes to stop.<\/p>\n
Now, stopping can mean several things. It can mean stopping to take a break. That doesn\u2019t mean permanent; you can get back to things soon. But everybody needs a break.<\/p>\n
It can also mean stopping to prioritize. If you don\u2019t have a prioritized game plan, then you might as well be running around in circles. You are likely to do more time wasting and busy-making that way then you are to do anything that is productive. Prioritizing your tasks is a sure way to help you figure out what needs to be done, when, how, and in what order. Some people can prioritize in their heads; others need pen and paper. You might also try calendars and voice recorders. Whatever method works best for you, prioritizing is a healthy thing to do to manage your time and energy.<\/p>\n
Stopping can also mean choosing to stop something altogether. Now, this does mean quitting something for good. And sometimes that really is for good: sometimes you need to quit something to keep yourself healthy. If you\u2019ve gotten yourself into too many obligations, then you may need to back off one or two of them. After all, you wouldn\u2019t want to lose track of your obligations to your loved one in the mix of everything, would you?<\/p>\n
Other times stopping means you need to put your foot down and say you\u2019re done for the day, even though you have a couple hours yet before bedtime. After all, if you need a few hours to unwind after a busy day, then giving yourself those few extra hours would be wise.<\/p>\n
Stopping can mean several things, and it usually means something that will help you to take a break. So, for once, make a point to practice your stopping skills. It just might help. \uf04a<\/p>\n
What ways do you think you could stop that might help you?<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi, how\u2019s it going? Hope you are doing well.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve talked to many people over the years who complained about being worn out. Some of them you could tell were at the point of exhaustion.<\/p>\n
The conversation usually went something like this: Me: \u201cHow are you doing today?\u201d Them: \u201cYou know, I\u2019m doing pretty good; I\u2019m just so tired.\u201d Me: \u201cYou look tired. Have you been getting any sleep?\u201d Them: \u201cA little.<\/p>\n