self-imposed limits
Just wanted to keep processing my New Years Resolutions. One of my resolutions was not checking work-related emails on my day off. I'm 3 for 3 in 07.
Can't even put into words how important it's been for me to have that work boundary in place. I just feel like I've been able to be at home when I'm at home. Those of us who are occupationally-driven face a danger: work becomes home and home becomes work. This self-imposed limit is keeping me calibrated.
Another self-imposed limit in 07 is 30 nights on the road speaking at conferences. I think I was on the road about 45 nights last year and I felt like it was too much for our life stage as a family. It's takes a toll. This is a tough one because I really want to accept every invitation to speak. And I feel bad saying "no." But I feel like this self-imposed limit will keep things in balance.
Part of the reason I'm being so intentional about these boundaries is that I feel like I've really failed in this area over the past year. But I feel like I'm turning a corner with a few of these self-imposed limits.
Can't even put into words how important it's been for me to have that work boundary in place. I just feel like I've been able to be at home when I'm at home. Those of us who are occupationally-driven face a danger: work becomes home and home becomes work. This self-imposed limit is keeping me calibrated.
Another self-imposed limit in 07 is 30 nights on the road speaking at conferences. I think I was on the road about 45 nights last year and I felt like it was too much for our life stage as a family. It's takes a toll. This is a tough one because I really want to accept every invitation to speak. And I feel bad saying "no." But I feel like this self-imposed limit will keep things in balance.
Part of the reason I'm being so intentional about these boundaries is that I feel like I've really failed in this area over the past year. But I feel like I'm turning a corner with a few of these self-imposed limits.
6 Comments:
...and just think - ALL the evotional readers to hold you accountable - we all know that there SHOULDN'T be a post appearing on a Wednesday... props on 3 for 3...
And yesterday I kept checking the blog thinking "why hasnt he posted?!" At about 5 p.m. it dawned on me ... duh, it's Wednesday!
BTW for us single D.C. career types out there ... if we dont have a family or any sort of anything to have to seperate work from, should there still be boundries?
I'm going to pop in here with my 2 cents on your question, Amy, and I hope Pastor Mark doesn't mind! I was a single DC career woman for 8 years, and I do think that a work/non-work boundary is necessary. Your own sanity as a balanced person demands it. Additionally, just because there's no family/husband/kids doesn't mean that there's nothing to separate work from. I don't know if you're a Christian, but if so, then your relationship with God is something that deserves some Blackberry-free time. :) If not, there are friendships and communities that would welcome your attention.
I am now a married online student, so I study from home and my boundaries are fairly fluid, but I still maintain them, mostly for myself. My goal is to maintain a balance between prayer, rest, community, and work (thanks to Robert Benson in "A Good Life").
Yeah... but it's hard. My job demands I'm constantly on my toes and paying attention no matter where I am ...
may as well highjack this post.....
Coach, where is my weekly basketball team update?
Congrats on 3-for-3. I hope you can keep this up b/c ministers/pastors NEED to have their boundaries just like everyone else. So much more difficult in the ministry setting.
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