By Cindy Sproles, @CindyDevoted

It was just one more thing for me to do. “I trust you can manage this.” A friend called and dumped her work on me because she’d over committed herself.

She was stressed, upset. I did feel for her. Impulse kicked in, and I said yes without thinking.

I looked across my desk and realized that over the last week I’d worked 15 hours at my “real” part-time job, and 20 hours on ministry, another 10 on prep for a Bible Study I lead. Six hours managing my Mom’s needs, and somewhere in there, my family at home. Just a few years earlier I found myself literally losing my hair because of stress and over commitment.

A number of years ago, I’d felt the call to write. It weighed heavy on my heart, so I began the process to learn the craft. Daily my head fills with ideas for stories, articles, speaking topics and I needed to get them down on paper. But I, like many others, have a hard time saying no to outside commitments, so my writing would somehow take a back seat.

It was time to get back in the practice of schedule discernment. Here are a few tips to help you manage your writing time and stress.

• Don’t over commit – Take time to put your schedule on paper. Writing down the hours you have committed to will help you realistically see what time you have available.
• Prioritize – Be fair to your God and to your family by balancing your time. God first, family second, career third. When you keep these items in order, there is no room for guilt because your schedule and writing time will fall into place.
• May I think on that? – When you are approached with new tasks, there is nothing wrong with asking for time to look at your schedule. It prevents you from accepting on impulse and allows you to logically see if there is time in your schedule to: 1) do the task and 2) do the task well. Who hasn’t felt the pressure of eyes staring, waiting for us to step up to the plate, especially when no one else volunteers.
• Rest – Rest is important. Without good sleep, creativity is stunted and writers need good creativity. Rest, diet, and exercise are musts.
• Pray over your work and schedule – Cover your daily schedule and work in prayer. Ask God to cover you with Hand, to give you discernment in your words and in the activities you choose.

It’s easy to get overloaded and when this happens, you, your family, and your writing suffer. Learn to draw boundaries and then accept the boundaries you’ve set. After all, it’s you who must do the work . . . or overwork.

One last thought on saying no. In the midst of my own chaotic schedule, one thing that made it easier to say no was this wisdom. In your own desire to be sure things get done, you are preventing someone else who may be equally as good at performing the task, but a bit more bashful, the opportunity to step out and shine. When you prioritize you will find great joy in the work.

Cindy Sproles is an award-winning author and popular speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions ministries and managing editor of Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Cindy is the executive editor of www.christiandevotions.us and www.inspireafire.com. She teaches at writers conferences nationwide and directs The Asheville Christian Writers Conference – Writers Boot Camp. 

She is the author of two devotionals, He Said, She Said – Learning to Live a Life of Passion and New Sheets – Thirty Days to Refine You into the Woman You Can Be. Cindy’s debut novel, Mercy’s Rain, is available at major retailers. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com and book her for your next conference or ladies retreat. Also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.