Too Much to Do – what do I do?

Managing time can be challenging on any given day. Do you make ‘to do’ lists? They can be long, daunting, and disappointing when some things never get crossed off the list. I stopped making ‘to do’ lists soon after starting to study and practice Tai Chi. The words of a wise teacher in San Diego started to sink in – “Tai Chi is not about trying harder. Tai Chi is about allowing and letting go.” Letting go. That takes time. That takes intentional focus. As I started to relax and focus on the “allowing” and “letting go”, I realized that could produce tension due to trying too hard to let go! It takes time.

Right now I am faced with too much to do. I am involved in a project requiring a 7:45am start time every day this week and more meetings on some evenings. I have my regular Tai Chi classes to teach. I have board and committee meetings. I am regularly writing scenes for my book. In order to write good scenes, I need to read books rich in dialogue, forming relationships and vivid descriptions of characters.

It is really a challenge when the “too much to do” activities are all positive and even fun. However, even the positive can feel like pressure when there is only so much time. So, I stopped, focused my attention on what to do to make it manageable. I chose to take a couple week detour in my writing, first time in almost two years. Hard to let that go. I wanted to hang on, to keep going, find time to fit it in. I literally could feel my mind and body resisting. Feeling that, I added a little more Tai Chi and working out at my health club into my day.

It’s working. I feel rested and energized and fully capable of handling this busy schedule. Tai Chi, plus regular stretching, strengthening and aerobic workouts are making this manageable. Only possible, though as I literally let go of some of the ‘to dos’.

Workout this morning after a meeting. And guess what? I’m feeling excited because I have almost a free hour before embarking on three hours of meetings this evening. I think I’ll read my engaging book with wonderful dialogue and character description.