Are You Too Busy?

Many of us are very busy, much of the time. It seems that the more choices we have — the more TV channels, the more techniques, the more websites — the busier we become. Society promotes this busy lifestyle.

The more we work and consume, the more the wheels turn. More profit, more production, and more things checked off our lists. Barry Schwartz described these patterns in his book The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less, How the Culture of Abundance Robs Us of Satisfaction.

To be sure, some of our activities are necessary and enjoyable. Yet it’s important to ask yourself whether you’re so continually “doing,” that there is no time to pause and reflect, or evaluate where the quality is in so much quantity.

DOING VERSUS BEING

To balance doing, there is being. Let’s examine these two essential ways we fill our lives.

DOING directive, active, time oriented, goal oriented
BEING allowing, receptive, quiet,unscheduled, spontaneous, reflective

Certainly there can be an overlap, as being and doing merge, like the yin yang symbol. Overall, doing is more masculine energy, whereas being is more feminine. So it’s easy to understand why Western culture values doing and devalues being, with its emphasis on action and external results.

STRIKING A BALANCE

When we grew up in the 1950’s, it was predicted that America in the future would have extraordinary technological advances, which would free us of more routine tasks. The society of the 21st century was supposed to be much more leisurely. So what happened?

Technology advanced but the leisure part didn’t follow. Global competition and increased drive for profits and new opportunities produced more work and less free time. In the 1950’s, with less advanced technology than we have now, one person (usually male) could earn enough to support a family in the United States.

Things have changed dramatically since then. Life has become more expensive. Multi-tasking has become a way of life for many, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously.Technology has brought us so many wonderful advances, yet sometimes we end up serving it rather than it serving us.

And it must be noted on the positive side that the Internet has been an extraordinary opportunity for people worldwide to have alternative information (like what you’re reading) and more ways to express themselves.

OVERCOMMITTING

Yet with all the choices, the websites, the activities, there is so much to choose from, so much to do -- and maintain. Overcommitment can be a common pattern, and for some people, such busyness can be considered a “soft” addiction.The balance is in more being.

This may mean more “down” time. Meditating, walking, nature visits, or just hanging out with yourself. Regular "being" time will infuse your doing with much more meaning. Doing can be more aligned with your soul’s promptings, which may be more easily heard during being time. Life can ultimately be more of an ongoing meditation, even during busy times.

Ask yourself this important question: What’s your life worth, if you don’t reflect on it?

AN EXAMPLE

One of Phillip’s clients (we will call her Alice) wanted help with being more on track with living her life purpose. Alice said she first wanted to better communicate with her husband.

Phillip used a muscle testing tool we developed called the SK Matrix to help him determine the best way to help Alice. The session went to where Phillip intuitively thought it would: Alice needed to first take care of herself before she could communicate better with her husband. Alice was so busy helping her family and others and putting out fires, she felt she was going around in circles, never on track for discovering and living her own life purpose.

After some coaching and clearing, here’s what Alice decided (her decision could be a good one for many other people as well): Alice felt an achievable starting point was five reflective minutes a day to herself, with no doing or serving others. Implementing this seemingly small change led to significant breakthroughs for her.

TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE

How can you not take control of your life? Letting life’s momentum and obligations carry you is a very unfulfilling, not to mention inefficient, way to go.By taking time to reflect on your life, you not only will know what to do, but how to do it. Reflecting on life lets you discern what is of value and what things mean.

Your “being” time can incubate your dreams and give shape to your vision.You no longer need to be constantly busy and rushed. To be sure, some times are busier than others. But you align your outer life with your inner vision, prompted by your soul’s guidance. You take things more in stride.Eventually you realize that, like money, time too is an illusion. So why not create a model that has plenty of time (as well as money)?

Step outside the box; create a model that is freer, lighter, more joyful. So what's one step you can do this week to become freer, lighter, more joyful?

WORKING TOGETHER

As a final thought, it’s much easier to find the balance between doing and being with the support of others. That is why we created our Master Spirit Community (www.masterspirit.org). So then you can be busy when you want to be, not because you have to be. This can be one of the greatest years ever!