Busy Doesn't Win

The busiest person doesn't win. 

Having a schedule that won't allow for a few minutes of unplanned moments, doesn't mean that you are productive and successful.  It means you are busy. 

I don't know if I would believe this today without a few things slowing me down a few years ago.  I couldn't work as long as I used to.  I had to focus on myself and my family.  Even if I hadn't figured it out after cancer.  MS came along to make sure I understood that I didn't need to be busy.  I didn't need to say "yes" to everything.

Today, my time is more valuable to me.  My time is protected and guarded against anything that might try to steal it away.  I have to say "no" sometimes.  I have to make choices about what will be best for me.  I have to be sure that what I choose to sacrifice is worth it.

Before we created a gym in our garage we traveled to exercise.  We rose at 4 am to have some time for coffee, get to the gym, get ready for work and get to work on time.  During that time, I sacrificed a little sleep for fitness.  It was always worth it to me.  Exercising brought more benefits than the hour of sleep would have given me.  I knew, because on the days I decided to skip going, I actually felt worse.
I don't have to sacrifice that time anymore.  I can go in my garage, do a workout anytime I want. 

I choose not to do extra activities on a regular basis.  It takes time from my family.  My girls are growing up faster than the flap of a hummingbird's wings, I'm not going to over-schedule myself while they are still home.  When they go off to college, I may take on other activities, but not now. 

There is no reason to be busy for the sake of being busy.  There is no reason to be proud of having activities every night of the week.  What do those activities make you sacrifice?  What do you have to give up for your busy schedule?

Some schedules are exactly what we would like them to be.  Some schedules are designed to distract us from our lives.  Busy isn't always better.