We manage responsibilities. We care for people.
These two experiences can become projects for us. Because they become projects, we may create a habit of always checking in, adjusting, tweaking, suggesting, pushing for completion.
We hover overhead, keeping our motor running as our eyes focus on who’s doing what, when, how, why and where.
Of course, those involved in our responsibilities and those people receiving our care feel our hovering presence so strongly that they stop forward motion and instead turn their attention to us — because we’re driving them nuts.
We’re probably driving ourselves nuts. Waking up in the middle of the night thinking about what to do next. Sending text message after email message after voice mail message for updates. Putting our own needs on hold because we believe we must do more for the project or for our people. Distracted by our thoughts and worries, we barely enjoy any good moments in our day.
We do have another choice. We could pause for a break, give everyone (and ourselves) a breather, and then return to the project at a later time.
We can let it be.
To remind ourselves we have an alternative to the hyper-focused hovering, we can ask ourselves this question to start our day: “What and who can I leave be?”
When we decide to be present in the moment, we can give everyone and every project space to be better. They need time to cope with setbacks and disappointments. They deserve a chance to improve on their own.
When we let be, we give ourselves space and time to receive a healthier perspective, a calmer approach and more energy for our day.
What and who will you leave be?
Resources
- The Sunday Question, Volume Two, is out on Kindle and paperback. The journal helps you track which questions work best for you. Add our A Good Morning for You journal to give yourself good starts.
- If you’d like, check out my redesigned website: careyearsacademy.com.
- Image by elenaros from Pixabay
- Enjoy the podcast, below.
