Thank you Past President Richard for standing in for me!
Life is busy these days, and people are busy. We have so much to do that there just aren't enough hours in the day. Our plates are overflowing with activities. And it seems like there's always opportunities to add more onto our plates, like agreeing to take on a SunUp Rotary “job”.
I don’t know anyone out there who’s just sitting around thinking “Gee, I wish I had something to do- I have so much time on my hands!” And if you do fit that description, boy, have I got some SunUp opportunities for you!
When our days are overflowing with activities, it’s possible that we don't pause to consider why or why not to take on something else, we typically just take it right on and the plate gets fuller or overflows. But how do (did) we get to this place? Better yet, how can we manage what's on that plate? More to the point, what needs to be subtracted so that there’s room for the new activity?
Sometimes, in our enthusiasm to take on a new activity, we neglect to consider the consequences of doing so. We may not understand what all is involved, we may not know how much time may be required, we may not realize how this new activity affects all the other things you have going on.
When an opportunity (or a request to take something on) presents itself, what do you do?
Do you immediately say yes? If so, why?
Is it just because there's pressure to do it? Is it because you feel like you have to? Or is it something else?
What will have to come off your plate to be able to do what's being asked?
What if you had a list of questions to ask yourself about an opportunity before you decide whether or not to add it to your plate?
What would those questions be?
Where do service activities fit on your plate?
Take a look at your plate this week, consider how you might manage its fullness.
What possibilities come to mind?
Looking forward to hearing your replies...
Make it a great week!