How I Combat Hurry Sickness

I once read a book by John Ortberg where he introduced me to the phrase “hurry sickness”. In our day we are always rushing, never fully engaged in what we are doing and stressed beyond belief. I have found that when I intentionally slow myself down I enjoy life more. I focus on single-tasking instead of multi-tasking. I focus on being in the moment rather than being somewhere else. I focus on the present rather than the past or the future.

Here are some simple things I’m doing to stay more engaged with my world. While some of these may not specifically apply to you, I hope it just gets you thinking as to what you could do yourself.

• read my physical bible first thing every morning (no online or iphone version to get me distracted)
• check email only after I’ve accomplished an important work-related goal for the day
• limit my email checking to 2x a day (late morning & late afternoon)
• writing all my ideas down using Action Method
• worship and pray out loud. No information intake. Just me and Jesus.
• listen to and engage in conversation with my wife
• pray out loud for APEX and the APC worship ministry
• read physical books
• exercise daily
• consume coffee 🙂
• listen to ambient, instrumental music throughout the day
• less emails, more phone calls
• smile more
• engage with people in public places. Talk. Be a Christian. Share Jesus.

While I don’t always perfect this art, this is what I’m shooting for.

What about you? What are you doing to battle “hurry-sickness” and stay engaged where God has you?