I don’t know about you, but I don’t leave much empty space on my calendar. With all the roles I juggle, there is always something to add to my schedule. And truth be told, I like to be busy! But this year, I commit to being mindful of my margin!
Margin is the blank space around the edges. The unscheduled blocks of time that enable you to breathe and give you the capacity to live out your calling with joy. It is not leftover time, but intentional breathing room that enables you to respond to God-given opportunities and assignments without feeling overwhelmed and depleted.
One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after the wind. – Ecclesiastes 4:6
So, what are some practical ways to make this happen?
Evaluate the “big picture.”
Certain seasons are extra busy, and it’s essential to gain a big-picture view of your year so you can identify the areas where you don’t have space for extra yeses. Are there certain times when work responsibilities are extra heavy? Are there seasons in the year when family activities are especially demanding? Do the holidays add extra joy and extra jumble to your schedule? If you know in advance where your margin will be minimal, you can be more mindful of what you say yes to.
Schedule the things that matter – in ink!
Before you start filling your calendar with new opportunities, block off time for the things that matter. Date nights with your spouse. Family celebrations. Connection points with friends. Periods of rest and recuperation, especially after busy seasons. Then honor these appointments. Don’t erase them when you feel pressured to accept another assignment.
Know when to be productive and when to be restful.
The Bible says to work at everything as if you’re working for the Lord, so work hard when it’s go time and make the best of all your busy periods. But know when it’s time to stop. If you’re always “on,” you’ll burn out. It’s easier to remain focused and productive if you know that rest is coming.
Recalibrate regularly.
Review your calendar regularly. If you know what your schedule looks like, you’ll be better prepared to respond to unexpected asks. And if you notice your schedule is filled with commitments that will drain you, don’t be afraid to move things around.
Be okay with saying “no.”
This is the most challenging aspect of being mindful of your margin. It’s tempting to fill the empty space around the edges with opportunities that seem too good to pass up. But a stacked schedule is not a healthy one. Sometimes you have to be willing to say “no” or “not right now” to protect yourself and enable you to flourish in your current season.
Will you join me in honoring the empty space on your calendar in the new year? Allow time for rest, recuperation, and relationships. Replace hurried and hectic with measured and mindful. Set a new rhythm for your life that allows you to create space for an unexpected yes while being willing to offer a gentle but firm no.
Afterall, God rested, and He instituted the Sabbath as a reminder that we need rest, too. And when Jesus walked this earth, He intentionally carved out time for rest. If the God of the universe valued downtime, then so should we!
And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation. – Genesis 2:3
