In the previous two episodes, we’ve been talking about my FREEDOM toolbox–7 tools that help us make the most of our time so we can live peaceful, balanced lives. These are the tools:

Today we’ll look at the fourth tool: Eliminate.

Have you ever struggled with trying to do it all? The truth is NO ONE CAN DO IT ALL. We all have to be selective about how we use our time and energy.

If you want to focus on your goals and priorities, you have to eliminate things that don’t support them. This includes counterproductive mindsets, such as the way you think about time; bad attitudes like fear, perfectionism, and negativity; stuff—the physical clutter that slows us down; and activities.

In this episode, we’ll focus on eliminating activities. You can eliminate activities by never beginning them in the first place or by stopping them if you’re already involved. How? Just say no!

Saying no is HARD, isn’t it? You don’t want to let people down or disappoint them. But not everything that needs to be done is something that YOU need to do. Often you can delegate tasks—such as housework, laundry, or cooking—to your children. Or you can outsource responsibilities by paying other people to take care of them for you. This might include lawn care, housecleaning, piano lessons, math tutoring, errands, and so on.

Remember that opportunity does not equal obligation. If you say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, you’ll have to say no to the priorities and goals you have already chosen. If you’re always the person who takes care of everything for every organization you’re part of,  you may find that bowing out allows someone else to step up and use her gifts.

This episode of the “Flourish At Home” show includes practical tips and real-life examples of what I’ve learned about the importance of saying no to too many activities. And you’ll find many more strategies in my book, Flourish: Balance for Homeschool Moms, available at online retailers and through my website at www.FlourishAtHome.com.

See you next time on the “Flourish At Home” show!

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