I'm not sure about you, but I personally have a problem. I willingly admit this problem that some may not consider a "real" problem. I have a problem with saying "No." Now I'm not talking about D.A.R.E. where you have to say no to drugs and such (I'm good at that ;] ), but saying no to commitments and responsibilities that take you beyond your normal stress level. Although I recognize and acknowledge this as a problem, I have to admit that I'm quite good at completing "more than I can handle." Maybe this is why I continue to add more and more to my already crazy, hectic life. Let me give you an example of what is on my plate right now:
-3 Jobs (1 Desk Job, 1 Retail Position, 1 Tutoring Position with 2 Students)
-1 Secretary/Treasurer of a Fundraiser
-2 Clubs (VP and Club Officer Respectively)
-2 Non-Profit Organizations (Volunteering)
-Scholarship Requirements (Volunteering, Meetings, and Other Assignments)
-19 Hour of Classes This Semester
-A Dr. Phil-like situation at home (nothing serious, but he could have a field-day with my family haha!)
-A wonderful girlfriend (I mostly added this because I know she's the main one who will be reading, Love you darling!)
-Marathon/Triathlon Training (When I can fit it in)
-I'm sure I forgot something else.... there's always something else.
Now all of this may not seem like a lot on paper, but it certainly keeps me busy to the point where I don't know how I can get it all finished some days. Some days it overwhelms me a lot and I don't know what to do, but I just think positively and get one thing done at a time. I think one of the reasons that I enjoy taking on so many responsibilities is that I am never bored. There is always something to be done and no dead time to just sit and procrastinate a few things.
Although I do not blame anyone for this condition, I did get it honest. My mom is the same way, and has been telling me for years that "I need to learn to say no." I joke with her and tell her that "I learned from the best." We have talked about this "problem" frequently and have even come up with a little motto or mantra for our excessive self-inflicted stress-levels:
"As long as your nose is above the water you won't drown."
While this may not be completely true about drowning, it is true about stress. Some stress is a positive thing. It provides motivation to do more than you think you can in a short amount of time. Obviously, it takes a resilient person with an internal perseverance to succeed to complete tasks under major stress, but it all can be accomplished.
So if anyone asks you if you are spread too thin or if you have too much on your plate, you don't necessarily have respond no to a request for participation in something. You can always do like I do; say "Yes" and use that extra positive stress to allow you to accomplish more than you thought you could. Everyone wants to succeed and with the added motivation of stress pushing you along, you can accomplish more than the average person ever will!
Note: Obviously, not everyone has the internal responsibility to take a lot, but anyone can change their ways and learn to achieve more with the help of some extra, positive stresses.
