Mid-Year Check-In: Pt. 3 - How Much Can You Carry?

Let's Talk Capacity

Will all the recovering perfectionists, people pleasers, empaths, busy bees, and fixers please stand up? ::scoots chair back to stand up:: 

If you were standing with me, then you know what it’s like to say yes before you think through all the details (and regret it later). To overcommit and end up with a schedule that feels overwhelming. To place unrealistic (i.e. very optimistic) timelines on projects and wonder why you feel like you’re always hurrying. To take on another responsibility because no one else would, and it had to be done, then feel resentful that you ended up being “the one” to do it (again). 

As I talked to God about what I wanted my life to look like now–the dreams I was still passionate about and the new things I wanted to discover–I noticed how easy it was to fall into the trap of thinking about what I can do. 

But the more I thought about it, the question I asked myself switched from, “What can I do?” to “What do I want? What can I actually handle? What would I love waking up to every day? What would my life need to look like for that to happen?” 

Man, those questions felt so different. Instead of feeling heavy, or like I was talking myself up at a job interview trying to prove to “Terry” and “Sarah” why I was worth the highest pay bracket on the pay scale, it felt like I was giving myself space to dream again. To see new possibilities. To feel my heart swell at the mention of a dream. To give my desires a chance to matter again, too. 

Then God sent a gentle nudge of a principle I share with my clients often - capacity is more about being a good steward than it is about maxing yourself out. It is being realistic about what you can manage well financially, energetically, relationally, teamwise, and timewise. It is embracing the fact that God designed me to carry a load, not every load. Somewhere along the way I had taken on more than I was designed to carry.

I read about the Children of Israel building the Temple in Exodus 35-39. There was so much to do! Gathering supplies, prep work, designing, delegating, and creating the garments, tent, pillars, table, altar, cloths, and more; so much more! Sheesh! 

But you know what they did? They divided the tasks. Some gave and gathered supplies, others thought through the design, taught, and delegated based on talent, and others brought those designs to life. No one person tried to do it all. In fact, when the giving of supplies reached excess, God instructed Moses to cut it off. 

Each group recognized their assignments and did their part to bring the bigger vision to life. They understood how their unique gifts matched the role that God had given them, and how doing their part played a part in the larger picture.

They allowed God’s direction–not lack, fear, other’s opinions, or circumstances–to dictate how they showed up in their work. They had faith that God was handling everything else not assigned to them. 

God never designed us to do it all or to do it alone. He didn’t even require that for the building of “where [He] resides.” He modeled the principle of sabbath rest and literally commanded it be observed one day each week (Exodus 20:8-11).

God also instructed Moses to remind Israel of this sacred practice right before He gave them details on a new project (Exodus 35:2) So why do we think He wants us to do it all, not rest, and go to excess when He gives us an instruction? 

Israel was obedient to follow the instructions to give, design, teach, and create. They also rested. In the end Moses saw their efforts and said,

“According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:42-43)

Y’all, there's a blessing in staying in your own lane, carrying your load well, and being a part of the bigger plan as God directs. 

This has helped me to say no to things more easily, clean up my calendar, and block out time to rest and spend with those I love. 

It is also helping me figure out what is worth my continued investment, and where I needed to cut my losses. It is shaking me free of burdens, and helping me see the responsibilities I choose to accept as blessings, because they align with what God is calling me to and what my heart desires. 

It’s a practice that I’m working on every day, but man does it feel good to know I’m making decisions that will give me freedom, joy, and peace now and later. Choices that will allow me to be fulfilled, satisfied, and elated that I get to do this (whatever “it” is in that moment).

Now I’m inviting you to join me in working through this, because there is something about writing things down helps us to see the full picture, and make the best decisions for us, our families, and our businesses–with confidence.

So take a few minutes to answer these questions, and let me know what it highlights for you. You can also download the Mid-Year CEO Check-In Workbook to work through these prompts.

Financially

• Am I living within my means every month? 

• Do I have disposable income to invest into my dreams and goals?

• Where are opportunities to multiply what God has given me to manage?

• Where are the shortfalls or surpluses? How can I better manage this gap?

• Do I see my finances as fun, as fuel to support the life and business I desire, or both?

Energetically  

• What do I have the energy to consistently handle with grace? 

• What makes me feel stuck? What is draining my energy? What gives me energy? 

• What do I need to give myself permission to say no to, without additional explanation?

• What changes do I need to make to create more harmony between the energy I have to give and the tasks I commit to personally and professionally?

Relationally

• Am I managing my relationships well?

• Am I holding on because of time or because of quality?

• Are my relationships reciprocal? Healthy? Demanding? Why?

• Am I showing up the way I want to for the people I love? If not, where do I need to improve?

Teamwise

• Are tasks split equitably between myself and my team members? (Family or Business)

• Where do I need help? Where does the team need help? What skill sets are we missing?

• Am I overburdened? Underutilized? A Bottleneck? Well-allocated? What needs to change?

Timewise

• Is my calendar haphazardly or purposefully filled?

• What is taking most of my time? What is getting the least of my time?

• How would an ideal week schedule life, home, work, and community responsibilities?

• What patterns make me feel energized, overwhelmed, or drained at the end of the week?

• What needs to change? What step(s) can I take this week to start making this adjustment?

Take the time and work through these questions. Your answers and what comes up may surprise you. When you’re done, send me a quick note or drop a comment below on what step you plan to take this week. As always we're here cheering you on to success and ready to step in as a trusted strategic partner to help you make and execute your plan to live a life you love and love the life you live.

With Joy In Purpose,

Dr. Lorin R. Carter

PRAY PLAN PROFIT PLANNER UPDATE: We have decided on a planner layout, publisher, printer, and will be ordering the proof this month! Wooo-friggin-hooo! Y’all I am so grateful for the diligence to find the right partner. It has made all the difference.

Please be sure to let me know if you’re interested in the physical, digital, or both versions of the planner by joining the waitlist. This will help us with planning the first print run (Eeeek! Have goosebumps typing that!).

Next stop, ordering a proof and opening preorders! Thank y’all for your support and feedback. I can’t wait to see what God will do through the Pray Plan Profit CEO Planner!