First off, thanks so much to all the kind and positive replies to my story from Friday about the tumor they found in my wife’s eye.
It was not easy for me to write that story. But I wanted to share it because it hits on a deeper topic that I think is so important and timely right now.
As I wrote, the thing about Margin is that you can’t go get some in the moment when you need it. Because when you need it, you need it right away.
You either have the margin you need, or you don’t.
. . . .
The story I shared on Friday was a difficult example of how margin helped my wife and I make it through an extremely challenging time without being left completely broken in the end.
Today I want to share a few other examples of what it looks like for me to prioritize living with Margin in my life.
Time to read
The average American watches 5 hours of TV every day! Five hours! As much as I love Downton Abbey, I get more rejuvenation from a book. And so I choose to spend time reading each day. (And yes, I definitely do binge watch a show from time time time.)
Time to exercise
I also prioritize my physical health. It rarely ever feels convenient to do a workout, but that hasn’t stopped me from working out every single day for over 300 days in a row now. I make the time for it because working out does more than just give my energy. It also helps me think more clearly during the day.
Financial Breathing Room
With finances, I living well beneath my means. I have a healthy emergency fund in place for my both my family as well as my business. It’s enough to keep us afloat for several months in case all income were to completely get cut off.
Less frustrated at my kids (hashtag the struggle is real)
My wife and I have three boys. They are 2, 5, and 7 years old. And they are exploding with energy and fart jokes (and real farts, too).
Our evenings of dinner time and bedtime are crazy! And it used to be that I would regularly find myself frustrated and short with my kids.
But a year ago, I noticed a lot of my frustration was beginning to dissipate.
In the spring of last year I chose to try an experiment by cutting back on my hours and responsibility at work. I gave up little bits of control over certain projects, and setting boundaries around how much I would work each day. Then, I filled that time with a focus on my physical and spiritual health.
After I had reclaimed margin at work and in my physical health, I discovered that I had also been able to calm down emotionally as well.
I wasn’t so on edge in the evenings. I had more patience. I could be more present in the moment, and honestly just enjoy my boys for who they are.
. . . . .
If you are at your limit, then you have no margin. You have nothing left to draw on in your times of need or overwhelm.
Margin is a choice.
And I choose a life WITH margin.
At times it’s not easy.
Which is why many folks feel that they just can’t do it.
Perhaps you see margin as a luxury you can’t afford.
You are counting yourself out…
…saying that you don’t have the margin you need in the first place in order to get the margin you need.
Not true.
And that’s what The Margin Course is all about.
You CAN restore breathing room to an overwhelmed and busy life, even when you don’t have the time.
If you want to get access to everything I have about Margin, you need to act soon.
Tomorrow — Monday, August 5th — is the last day to sign up before we close registration.