There's a difference between accomplishing something and doing something. Our fast-track world honors constant activity, but those who aren't selective about what they do can wind up with a lot of stress and feel like a mouse on a treadmill. They're running fast, working hard, and not getting anywhere. Experts call it the "captivity of activity." Here are some of the symptoms:
* You're in a constant rush.
* You think that no matter how much you work, you'll never have enough time to do it all.
* You are chronically tired and emotionally exhausted.
* You believe that if you stop, everything will fall apart.
It won't. Here's a radical notion that will help: Get some rest. That doesn't mean rushing off for a vacation, because that could raise your stress level even higher. It doesn't mean taking a less-stressful job, because every job includes stress. And it doesn't mean putting your kids up for adoption, because you'll continue to run anyway.
The key to resting is to actively do nothing for a while, and then do it some more.
Will the world fall apart if you say "no" more often? Will anyone care 10 years from now if your home isn't very neat today? Will your kids be harmed if you tell them not to interrupt your down time? Will you lose your reputation by not volunteering for the next big project? If your stress level is pushing you toward burnout, you have to give careful thought to these questions.
Life isn't going to slow down, but you can purposely find ways to do it when you need to and to get some rest. The trap of activity will always be there, waiting to pull you in.
