Hannah's Journal

How Did I Get So Busy?

Mar 12 2011

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I came across this little gem of a book when I was browsing around the Christian book store the other day. First, the title slapped me across the face:

How Did I Get So Busy?

Wow! Almost every mom I know can relate to that feeling (including myself). I picked up the book and started thumbing through it, and found myself nodding and saying, "uh-huh" over and over. That is, until Blair said, "Why don't you just buy the book already?"

This book is actually a 28-day plan to free up your time, get your schedule back on track, and as the author notes, "reconnect with what matters most." Valorie Burton, the amazing woman who wrote this, certainly knows what she's talking about. In the preface of this book, she lists a few things that really woke her up to the reality that most of us are way too busy.

* Jesus was never in a rush.
* He didn't take on more than He could handle.
* He was clear about His purpose.
* When He needed rest, He took it.

This is certainly a wake-up call to the dangers of being too busy. Personally, I think busyness is the primary distraction that pulls us away from our God-given purpose. And Valorie's book is an effective plan to kill busy and breathe life into fruitfulness! Thank you, Valorie!

I'm giving away TWO copies of "How Did I Get So Busy" this week. Make sure you leave a comment and share your challenges with busyness. Remember, your honesty helps all of us. We all have challenges and we are stronger when we are united! Don't forget to leave a comment and you'll be entered to win one of the two books I'm giving away!

Talk About It!

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kaylabird says

I'd love a copy! My busyness stems from too much clutter and too much time on the computer.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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BlessedMama says

I always feel like I am behind... never living in the moment. I worry about what I just did or what I must get get done. I want to learn to STOP and just BE in the present. Sometimes when I look at pictures, I feel sad because I worried more about the perfect shot than the actual event.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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eguthaus says

I was just praying about the busyness in our life as I made lunch today! As an urban missionary family, we tend to justify our busyness in the name of kingdom work however there comes a point where a lot of "good things" just become a lot! Throw in a masters program and work for my hubby and my head can often be found spinning!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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Guelvevof says

Thanks to your "Total Mom Makeover" book, I feel like some of my busy life has settled down - with the house being more organized and my whole being just feeling refreshed as a wife and mother of 4. However, I know that being busy will probably always be a struggle because of the large family...this book sounds like it would be a wonderful tool for many people. I think of the story from the Bible when Jesus compares the way Mary and Martha act when he visits them. That is a constant challenge for me.
Lindsey

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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raquelsantangelo says

The computer is a time drain, but I suspect there's something more that I cannot pin point.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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pmrkvc says

Good Lord, could I use this! The only thing is that I worry about adding another activity to my already overflowing to-do list!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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phoward336 says

I would love a copy! I actually have this on my "to read" list, but have never seen it at our library. I am too busy mostly because I try to do too much - lots of it good stuff, but too much all the same.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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LEDFuller says

I recently heard that BUSY stands for "Buried Under Satan's Yoke." As my husband continues to look for full time work, I soemtimes feel like I'm drowning, as I need to work, but don't even want to forego my "Mom" duties. This sounds like a great book. What a good message Jesus gives us to turn away from the business that keeps us from God! But I do so struggle with this, as sometimes I feel like if I just get enough DONE (enough organizing, planning, to do lists, etc) I can stop being busy! I need the "auto bill pay" equivalent to every other chore! Hannah's books helped me alot when I was home more-- I need to re read them now.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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djeadk3 says

I could use all the tips I can get to free my time, reclaim my schedule, and make time to make those important memories and connections with my 4 wonderful children and dear husband. I need help figuring out how to keep balance with all the "need to do" stuff in life and handle the unexpected things that come up, and have quality time with my family both together and individually, and time to renew my spirit. It seems that something often needs to give to work on something else, but then I need to catch up with what fell behind, and then something else falls behind while I'm catching up with that task, and the cycle continues.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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Sara_Gallagher says

Great giveaway! I'd love a copy!

I think my busyness actually comes from procrastination. I know it sounds strange, but I think sometimes I keep myself "busy" with the minutiae of life instead of prioritizing the important things.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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icbsmom says

Sounds like a great book! I am too busy because I am such a perfectionist; I'm always thinking about the last thing I want to get done before I go to bed or the one thing I really want to check off my to do list. Definitely leads to stress and frustration :(

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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magdalen9 says

Oh my. If I ever needed to read something like this it is now. My husband and I have been in campus ministry for 12 years. We love this work and yes it is busy. He does a second business on the side which enables me to stay home with two kids. This is my first year of homeschooling and its been both good and extremely challenging. As soon as I started, I had a health scare leading me to a decision to get a hysterectomy. (will happen in the summer) I homeschool another family's child as well. (found out later...that was a bit ambitious : ) Plus, I do the bookeeping for my husband's side business. I try to help out in the ministry when I can, but I've realized quick that I am getting buried fast. I feel like I need to come up for air. We are reassessing everything. I do not like to be this busy and my heart and head are rather disconnected right now. I would love a book that brings me back to the core of relationship with God and living in the present.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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winter682 says

I would love this book. I have been downsizing my volunteer commitments and just focusing on our home / boys... but someone or something always seems to come along when I have some "spare" time so I once again overcommitment myself. I would love some wisdom on doing this more effieciently. Especially the NOT RUSHING part! I always feel like we are scurrying from one place to another trying to cram it all in :)

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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Brooklyn storage says

With 5 kids running around all different directions, there are many times I feel it is hard to keep up with it all. I feel blessed with how great all my kids are, but it can get very overwhelming at times. That book sounds wonderful!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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domesticaccident says

I think I am improving on this by myself, but I'm needing a graceful way to say "no". Whenever I am put on the spot, the first word out of my mouth is "sure" instead of "let me get back to you." Can't wait to read this book!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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erica.lam6 says

I'm excited to hear about this book, and I think I'll get a copy whether I win one or not. I recently became a stay at home mom with my two year old and six week old little girls. But, my husband is a full time student and works full time. I struggle with feeling that I can't give all the attention to one thing but that I'm giving little bits of attention to each thing. I don't feel as though I am not having enriching relationships with my family and friends but instead that I am barely staying acquainted with each of them. And forget having time to focus on me!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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Carolane says

Well, got busy w/hubby, daughters,launching a new business and taking care of my parents...I am going to do this program right after I finish the 5-Minute Mom program! Sounds like a great book. Thanks for all your help and positivity, Hannah!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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sjaane says

Hannah, I'm new to your website just today. I was actually looking for a recipe...then I found EVERYTHING else you had to offer. I've signed up for the coaching lessons. I'm hoping it helps me...I'm really struggling right now. Most of it is due to a lack of confidence in myself as a mother, wife and friend. I feel like I don't have time to do any of them well any more and I used to be considered the Martha Stewart of Clark..."Mother of the Year". Ha! Mother at the rear is more like it now...I feel like the commercial on TV of the little wind up doll who has to keep winding herself up all day just to keep going. I LOVE to volunteer so I belong to quite a few groups/organizations here in our small town that's trying to stay afloat, I'm a stay at home mom, I help my husband with our excavating business and as a former teacher and mother of 4 (ages 23 to 9) teaching and faith are two loves of my life, so I stay active teaching through church with CCD and the youth group. I'm not willing to give up doing any of those things but I feel they are all being short changed right now because I just can't keep up. I won't even go into all the projects that aren't getting done at home. I need to lose weight, I'm 5'8" and weigh about 190, so I could drop 40-50 and be were I should, but that isn't all my problem. I'm so hoping I've found an answer here with you. I look forward to visiting with you the next 30 days. Now, I'm going to grab my bible and start back at your first lesson back in 2010? was it? It was one thing I was going to do for Lent and of course, I haven't started yet! Thanks, I'm very happy to have found this site this morning...I'm feeling very positive about it. P.S. In case you can't tell, I'm always to lengthy with words and writing!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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pakkismom says

Busy = saying yes to things when I should say no, learning I don't need to read every email from all the newsletters & such that I signed up for, clutter control, full time job, direct sales part time, I could go on! This might help me learn to let go! Thanks for the opportunity to win it.

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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says

I think this book was written with me in mind. Between raising 3 kids ( 17, 12 and 6), working a full time job and a husband that is working a full time job and 2 part time jobs, my life feels like it's running in a never ending circle of stress. Oh boy, does it overwhelm me at times. Hannah, your blog is a nice highlight of my week. It helps draw me back in when all I really want to do is run away and hide. Thanks for reminding me that God is in control of my ship. I just need to turn the wheel over to him!

06/12/2011 at 02:26 am
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