We have 96 intervals of 15 minutes every day, meaning you have many opportunities to make a difference.  Each day this month, I’m giving you a 15-minute project idea. Pick your favorites to improve your day, yourself or your world. I promise you have time for this.

Here is a lesson I need to learn on a regular basis.  I can do a lot, but I can’t do everything.  I can change some things, but I can’t change everything.  I have good ideas, but mine aren’t the only ideas. I don’t need to do everything for everyone.  It doesn’t do anyone a service–because I end up being tired, stressed and don’t have the time or energy to get it done.  And the person depending on me either has to put up with my attitude or is disappointed when I don’t meet their expectations.  Enough! Moving forward I’m learning to calm it on down.  Here are some things I’ve learned that I’d like to pass on to you:

It’s ok to be happy with a calm life.  It isn’t easy to immediately understand what that means, but focused energy can help.  How about reducing your obligations to only your favorites–don’t worry about letting people down. How about admitting when you’re not the best at something, and letting others share their ideas and opinions.  How about letting a project go undone or letting someone else do it–sit on your hands, cover your mouth or look away from the requester, if needed.

You are worth more free time than you give yourself.  Have an extra 15 minutes? Spend it on yourself–relax, take a nap, do something you enjoy.  You to do list can wait.  Your projects can wait.  Everything can wait.  You deserve free time and you deserve to make it–and yourself a priority.

If everything is important; nothing is important.  You’re going to have to make some tough choices to make “Calm It On Down” a lifestyle instead of just a 15 minute fix.  Sure, you need the time right now.  But you also need a break in the future and probably every day in the future.  Look at your calendar and see what you’re doing.  Is it what you want to be doing? If not, you need to start letting things go so you can focus on what is most important to you.

I know this will take willpower, time and energy to accomplish.  I believe you can do it; I know, I’m working on it too.