We live in a time where there are countless opportunities at every corner. 

I go on the Internet with the intention of emailing a friend, and I find myself distracted with the latest headlines in today’s news or emails that inform me about sales, concerts, conferences, Evites, and so forth. My 3 minutes on the Internet has turned into 3 hours. As soon as I know it, I am wondering what happened to my afternoon.

The same thing happens in the work area.  You can be working on a project on your own or with other people.  Everyone has great ideas and, in the midst of you working on the project, another opportunity presents itself to you.  So you start a new project in addition to your existing project.  Now you have two projects, both for wonderful causes, but now all your time and efforts will be going to these two projects.

So what’s the big deal? 

It’s good to be productive and get involved, don’t get me wrong.  As a woman and educator I have learned to multi-task and play many roles: teacher, tutor, coach, counselor, student, girlfriend, sister, daughter, and the list goes on. But then it comes to a point where a person can get so consumed by his or her role(s) or occupation that other aspects in his or her life start to suffer.

Pam Farrel, author of The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make, was running two growing successful organizations with her husband, Bill.  One seemed quite manageable and the other needed some rebuilding that would entail firing and re-hiring.  If they were to keep both organizations, their relationships and health, especially her husband’s at that time, would suffer because it required additional time, effort, and energy. It was a tough decision because hundreds of people would be upset if they walked away from the other organization.  But it would be even more detrimental if her husband lost his life, due to unhealthy choices and being overworked.  Pam imagined the millions of people who would not get to hear her husband speak anymore and the drastic loss that her and her children would experience if he was no longer in their lives.  She realized she had to walk away from the other organization.

Dr. Dean Ornish, a leader in treating heart patients and prevention of heart disease, wrote:

When my self-worth was defined by what I did, then I had to take every important opportunity that came along, even if a relationship suffered. Now I understand that real power is measured not by how much you have, but by how much you can walk away from (qtd. in Farrel, 169).

 “Meaningful work is important, but emotional connection…and living your unique call is more important.  Walk away to Jesus. He’ll give you wisdom and strength to walk away from what is unhealthy and walk toward changes that are better for you” (Farrel, p. 171).

I had to walk away.

Do you have the power to walk away?

Source:

Farrel, P. (1999). The 10 best decisions a woman can make (p. 169-171). Eugene, Oregon