Sometimes I live exactly like Lewis Carroll’s White Rabbit. I’m late. I’m late. For a very important date. So I’m sharing 3 tips to help you stop rushing.
I’m writing this because it just happened this morning. I got distracted and when I looked at the time? Twenty minutes to get to a class. I should have left ten minutes earlier. Now I’m rushed. It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? To live like that? Rushing through the day like the most important goal is to see everything, do everything, be everything.
So I’m asking myself one question.
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Why do I rush?
If I have ten minutes before I must leave the house, then hey, why not empty the dishwasher. Read one more chapter. Toss in a load of laundry. Finish writing a scene. I like to be efficient.
Then I grab my keys and rush out the door.
One simple reason. I try to squeeze too much into each moment.
Here’s the rub. I’m rushing but moving in slow motion. The freight train or the road construction. Red lights. A super slow driver. My mind races; my body tenses; my heart pounds. I clench my teeth and grumble.
I know it’s my fault. I’m late, and I’m fuming because I hate to be late. And I’m kicking myself because I still haven’t learned.
I used to do this a lot more, especially with our kids were little because then I had two extra little humans who needed to put on their shoes, find their jackets, make their beds, fill lunch boxes, practice the spelling words.
So many things to squeeze into 24 hours.
I have a history of doing instead of being. Haven’t I learned this after six decades in this body, on this earth? The most important goal of the day is not to check, check, check or rush, rush, rush.
It is to love, love, love.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:36-38
To everything there is a season, for sure. Some days are just jam-packed and there’s going to be some scurrying. That’s life.
3 Tips to Help You Stop Rushing
So, I decided to work on three things:
#1. Set aside five minutes each evening to review the day ahead.
Set aside five minutes each evening to review the day ahead. Planning. I’m actually going to write this as an appointment in my planner and call it “Tomorrow Time.” I’ll add a heart because it’s a loving thing to do for myself.
#2. Learn to say no to some small things.
Learn to say no to some small things. First, I’m going to read The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. It’s been on my shelf for a long time. (No affiliate link here — I’m just sharing in case you want to know.) I have lots to learn here.
#3. Limit multi-tasking.
When I’m on the phone with a friend, I will listen and not try to clear my inbox. It’s a whole lot more efficient to tackle junk email when I focus on just the email. It’s certainly more loving to listen to my friend with my whole mind and heart.
Do you have any other tips to help you stop rushing?
Yes, I can avoid the White Rabbit game. Bonus? I’ll have more room to love.
Please share your White Rabbit moments and how you balance all this craziness.
This post was prompted by the word RUSH at Five Minute Friday link-up where I join a community of Christian writers to encourage and share our words.
Photo by Isabella Christina on Unsplash
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