Overworked - Extra Tasks Have Been Loaded onto Our Backs

Exodus 18:17,18 – Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.”

When it comes to energy conservation, the whole world is trying to use the planet’s resources in a wiser fashion. Gone are the days of large cars which guzzled gasoline and onto the road came hybrid vehicles which reduce oil consumption by using an electric motor and a conventional engine. The vehicles themselves are also smaller and are more energy efficient in this aspect.
 
In addition to reducing fossil fuel consumption through the vehicles we drive, energy conservation also applies to optional choices for powering homes and businesses. Some examples include wind turbines, solar power, geothermal, hydroelectric and creation of fuel using materials such as corn, which is ethanol.
 
So why did I just give you a lesson on energy conservation? I did so because there’s another type of energy conservation at work – our bodies.
 
More and more these days extra tasks have been loaded onto our overworked backs, than perhaps any time in history. Working overtime, having two jobs, and balancing increased activities spent with our families. Our bodies can only take so much before they run out of fuel and break down.
 
So how do I manage to complete the job at hand while conserving my energy? I do things in bits and pieces of time.
 
Dealing with chronic pain and illness already reduces the energy I have available. Writing is not just tiring for your body. It also takes emotional energy to complete a project. I tend to feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with activities of daily living as well.
 
One way that I’ve found to conserve energy is I do things in bits and pieces of time. When I write, I don’t just sit down at my computer and write all day. I only have small windows of time that I feel up to tackling a task.
 
I have found that there are many benefits to only write in small bursts of time – It leaves me time to rest and relax between my writing shifts. I’ve found that this method frees up my mind and imagination. When I return to my computer, the words seem to flow from my mind and onto the paper. Though this method works great for me, others may find that they don’t have that luxury at work.
 
So here’s another thought: If you’re working on several projects at work, analyze which should take your top priority and then work in increments of one to two hours on one then one to two hours on the another.
 
When switching between projects (if allowed) take a ten to fifteen-minute break and get up and walk outdoors or at least find a different location to unwind for a few minutes.
 
Both of these suggestions will provide a break for your overworked mind and bring a fresh wind of ideas.
 
Webmd.com has some great ideas in their article, “Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Energy.” One of their suggestions is to increase your magnesium intake. If you’re not eating a balanced diet, you may not be getting enough magnesium in your diet. Eating a handful of nuts, increasing whole grains and eating more fish can help. Another suggestion is to drink more water and less alcohol. Even being slightly dehydrated can leave you tired and lethargic.
 
Take a look at the Bible verses above. Moses was taking care of all of the needs of the people. He was resolving disputes and imparting wisdom. His father-in-law saw all that he was doing and told him it was too much work for him. He recommended that Moses appoints leaders who could settle small disputes and leave the big ones for himself. And Moses took his father-in-law’s advice.
 
We all can seek help when something is too big for us to handle. We don’t have to do it all ourselves. Being overworked can lead to not having enough energy to complete the tasks you need to get done. Conserve your energy wisely.

Learn more