Friday Five - May 13th

Over commitment. We've all done it. Promised to do or deliver too much. This week will address five things to think about before over committing.

1. How much time is needed? When evaluating any commitment, it is important to judge how much time is needed. We only have a set amount of time for our tasks, whether a request for something at work, a volunteer opportunity, or a last minute family request. Being able to judge your time accurately will help. Most often when overcommitting, people underestimate the amount of time that is needed for the task. Time considerations are often considered for what is needed for the actual deed, but doesn't consider what it takes to plan, or time needed for coordination or travel.

2. What resources are needed? What will you need to carry out the task? Travel needs, additional people, equipment may all be needed. Who is responsible for getting them? If it is use, did you factor that into your time estimates? How do these resource requirements affect your life? These are all questions you need consider when deciding if you are able to make this commitment.

3. Are you really needed? Often when you get overcommitted you are guilted into doing something, but could someone else have done it? Often when last minute requests are made, they reach out to the first person they think will volunteer. It is okay to tell someone no if you don't have time, but why don't we? We are often encouraged that we should sacrifice ourselves for the betterment of another group. But is what best for the group, best for you and yours?

4. What are you going to sacrifice? If you agree to do the commitment, do you need to make arrangement for your previous commitments. Often when we overcommit, we just try to fit it in, we don't make adequate preparations. Sometimes this means we short ourselves sleep or time, sometimes we are shorting our families or other commitments. If you are going to make arrangements to help out because you are needed, you need to make arrangements to help yourself as well.

5. Is it worth it? Now that you have considered all the options, is it worth the cost? Only you can make that decision, but hopefully now that you have considered the 'big' picture.

I hope this week's Friday Five is giving you some good food for thought and help you evaluate your commitments.