15 Reasons Why you Need Margins in your Life
You can’t do it all, nor should you. Although the majority of the population is busy and stressed, the more I study successful people, the more I realize that they have margin in their lives.
In a recent chat with John C. Maxwell at our last Live Event in Orlando, he shared how he practices the “Rule of 5”. This refers to the 5 activities he does on a daily basis. You might say that focusing on these help him create margin in his life. John’s 5 are:
1. Read
2. File
3. Think
4. Ask Questions
5. Write
I left my chat with John committed to clarify my own “Rule of 5.” Through some introspection I came up with mine:
1. Pray
2. Think
3. Grow
4. Create
5. Write
So far, I’ve stuck to my 5 and as a result, I’ve created more margin in my life. In my journeys I’ve discovered that margins create space for…
1. Laughter: You can’t laugh if everything is serious.
2. Generosity: You can’t give if you have nothing left.
3. Memories: You can’t remember if you weren’t present.
4. Prayer: You can’t pray if you’re self-sufficient.
5. Dreams: You can’t dream if you can’t imagine.
6. Love: You can’t love if you’re self-absorbed.
7. Exercise: You can’t exercise if you don’t value yourself.
8. Creativity: You can’t create if you’re merely a machine.
9. Experimentation: You can’t experiment if you don’t have time to fail.
10. Reflection: You can’t reflect if you don’t value rest.
11. Spontaneity: You can’t be in the moment if you’re stuck in the future.
12. Rest: You can’t sit if you can’t stop.
13. Peace: You can’t breathe deeply if you can’t catch your breath.
14. Friendships: You can’t expect to have friends if you fail to be one.
15. Joy: You can’t pour out if you haven’t been filled up.
(College students might disagree with the sleep part.) Yet many people believe you can survive and even thrive without margins. Your Designer seemed to think otherwise by gifting you one full day of rest and recreation every seven.
Have you ever tried reading something without margins? I have. Not fun. I remember back in graduate school, before the days of e-books. For one of my classes I occasionally photocopied a few pages from a massive 20 pound reference book. I’d shrink the text to fit the oversized page onto an 8½ by 11 inch piece of paper.
When my photocopies came out, I struggled trying to read the small font that ran off the edges of the page. In no time at all, my eyes would jump lines and I’d end up losing my place. Frustration would set in and the entire process proved unenjoyable at best.
This describes the majority perfectly. They keep trying to squeeze more into their schedules. Without any edges, they struggle and lose their place in life. Frustration sets in and their lives are unenjoyable at best, hardly a picture of fulfillment.
What’s the solution?
If you want fulfillment you must clarify your “Rule of 5” and create margin in your life.
What other things do people miss when they don’t have margins in their lives?
About the Author
Kary Oberbrunner left his day job to pursue his dream job—Igniting Souls.
Through his writing, speaking, and coaching, he helps individuals and organizations clarify who they are, why they are here, and where they should invest their time and energy.
The author of several books, Kary also serves as a founding partner on the John Maxwell Team.
Contact Kary at http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/karyoberbrunner/
The cookies are definitely on the bottom shelf for this one! Thanks for your clarity.
Kary, your timing is great for your post. Over the upcoming holidays maybe we can each carve out a little time to work on our own RULE OF 5. I know I will. Thank you!
Love this Kari!!!
Hello, Kary! The last few days I’ve been reflecting about how the many responsibilities we have make life more complex. After reading your article I made my 5 activities list and just thinking about only focusing on these five activities helped me feel incredible peace. Thank you for sharing your article!
Thank You Kary. A great word of advice for me to take. I often over-estimate what I can accomplish in a day and in a week. I then try to force too much into my time and run without margins. I’ve been making some adjustments and loving the increased focus, productivity and sense of health. The rule of 5 is very powerful.
So true. Thank you for sharing and inspiring. I will keep it with me. God bless.
Kary , the no ‘margin life’ you described , remind me my 32 years of worldwide exec life in a US large corporation, now fully immersed in the JMT team and after going through your document , I deeply understand what there is underneath each word. Thank you for stating it that clear and I can only said: I would like to have read this article some years ago. Thanks
Great words Kary. I’ve been planning Margins in my life for a while now and it’s made a huge impact.
Thanks Dennis. I like cookies on the bottom shelf. Blessings to you my friend.
God’s timing is perfect Al. Time to integrate now. Blessings to you.
You bet Melissa.
Congrats to you Gabriel. I can feel your strength coming through.
Margins rule Todd. Literally, right? They are great guidelines for our lives.
The pleasure is mine Idun.
It’s never too late Javier. Blessings to you.
Kary; this provides a very useful and usable framework that easily allows us to not only envision; but the see the masterpiece are lives are meant to be,Once again thanks for adding value.