The Rhythms Of Life

Just about every six months I find myself needing to evaluate my life patterns.  We live in such a high demand world and life can get busy very fast. We all have to work hard to make sure that we are living healthy and according to proper priorities. 

I find it necessary to step back and do a 'lifestyle analysis' on a regular basis.  What's that?  It is a process of self-leadership that I use through to decide upon my priorities and build them into my weekly schedule.  This involves deciding what to eliminate as well as what to add.

This week I am working through this evaluation process.  Here's some of the questions that I am asking:

• Am I spending enough time on my marriage?  What ADVANCED DECISION APPOINTMENTS do I have with my wife?
• Am I spending enough time with my kids?  When? How?
• How's my time alone with God?  Do I have a private place and a daily appointment? 
• Am I truly taking a Sabbath (a day of rest, refocus, and replenishment)?
• What activities are not really priorities but have begun to clutter my schedule?
• What are the 3-5 main things that I know are my priorities?  What am I spending my time on that are not part of those MAIN THINGS?  How can I adjust?
• What do I need to delegate to someone else?
• What am I doing that I really enjoy?  What am I doing that is draining me emotionally?
• How am I doing physically?  Do I need to adjust my diet?  Do I need to set an appointment for regular exercise?  When?  Where?

As I get clarity on these questions, I will then sit down with my wife and build my weekly schedule.  She helps me think through the impacts on her and on others.

Then I announce my new pattern to my staff so that they are aware of my new priorities and boundaries.  I do this so that they can help me stick to it and so that I can model health for those I lead.

How do I know that I need a 'lifestyle analysis'?  1) Fatigue that just seems to linger (this didn't happen as often when I was under 40); 2) Feeling inwardly stressed--lacking peace; 3) My wife tells me that I need to slow down; 4) Weight gain.

Right now, I am experiencing all four at the same time! Ouch!

Why do I have to make these adjustments so often?  Life situations change.  Complications arise.  Demands increase.  Crisis situations require large personal or emotional investments.  The past two months I have had a heavy travel schedule.  I am speaking a lot beyond just the weekend services at APC.  There have been extra duties added with the resignations of some of the pastors in our network, etc.

Don't get me wrong. I am doing well.  My walk with God is strong.  I am in love with my wife.  The church is healthy and growing. I just see the gauges of my life running close to empty.  Hybels talks about staying in touch with your emotional, physical, spiritual, and family 'gas tanks'.  When they start to run low, it is a sign that life needs an adjustment.

I share all of this because I know I am not alone in needing to do regular lifestyle analysis.  Hopefully, this post will trigger some healthy life adjustments for all of us.  As I get personal clarity, I will blog about some of the ADVANCED DECISIONS that I am building into my schedule.

Comments

[Chilly Chilton]

Thank You.

[Mike Kunkel]

The only time I make provision foro is when I read my bible. Usually, this is 0600.

I pray for the day after that. But my thing is, I find myself praying constantly after that.

My testimony on losing weight: I cut sugar from my diet and lost 15 pounds. I got an iPod. What the-, I said. Had no idea why I got that. The Lord came to me and told He told me to walk. Well, gee, I don't know. Then He said, "Why do you think I had you get that iPod?" Oh.

Come to my house. Walking wise, I have a short course, a medium course, a long course, a very long course, and a you gotta be kidding me course. The you gotta be kidding course is better off on a bike.

BTW, I lost 42 pounds since I started this.

You hit the nail on the head with this as well. Provision has to be made in order for you to do any of this.

So, my recommendation for you is start small. Go from your office, use the stairs to get down. walk around the gym, go out from there, down the steps and walk arounf the councourse a few times. Use the stairs, go back up to your office

Listen to your iPod throughout. Some great music while doing it. My coomercial for that would be:

iPod Touch:$400.
Bose Triport OE headphones:$180
Listening to Inspirational music and communing with my Lord and Saviour:Priceless.

Have a great day

[Mike]

Great stuff. It's good to be reminded about these things. Thanks for posting them.

[Matt Boudreaux]

Thanks. Needed to hear that. I'm in the mode of redoing some things in my life and this was an encouragement as well as an idea springboard.

[colleen]

Pastor Jeff, you continue to amaze me over what a great example you are to men, in so many ways.
You make me want to be a better man...oh, wait...-I'm a woman. oops.
I agree with Mike Kunkel. Being creative with your workout and your daily activities is wise. Cutting sugar is too, (-Hey, did you hear me? I said put that donut down. Don't wipe your hands on your pants...uh, stop licking those fingers).
If you need sugar, eat more whole foods like fruits. I hate to tell you this but finding a new love over Starbucks will be good too. The caffeine adds to the stress on your body and mind (and if you like that coffee sweet, wellll...). Only addicts will tell you that coffee is good for you.

[Lois Janke]

I have been around a good, long time..I have never been so close to the Lord as when I sit alone, quietly,anticipating His next step for me....I found out after many years of being busy and making my life worth something...that my life is worth more, when I am less. I have learned to listen to what God wants from me For the rest of what everyone else wants, has to (most times)...stay behind stage...You can only perform when you are balanced...and finding that thin line to straddle it a blessing from God..My advice,just let go and let God..sit back and lay it all on Him...and He will direct your every path..I learned that from being in the wordly desert for 20 years...