May 31 Bible Reading Plan

When you don’t have to work so hard, then quit working so hard.

-Nicole Curtis, Rehab Addict Rescue

"Another quote from a home improvement show? Wow, you really do like HGTV!"

I sure do, and when I heard the host, Nicole Curtis, say these words, I instantly wrote them down.

Nicole was speaking to a man who had started his own business. They were discussing how hard it is to get things off the ground. She could relate to the guy because she, too, had spent years working on building her home renovation company.

As they talked, she mentioned to the guy that there would be a point when it wouldn't be necessary to work as hard as he does now. Long overtime hours would settle into an established working schedule. She then made the point we quoted at the beginning.

"When you don't have to work so hard, then quit working so hard." (1)

What she was saying was that when work becomes less, take the extra time and spend it with your family. Leave work at work; don't just keep working because you are used to it.

Many people, especially men, derive their purpose and identity from what they do. Their self-esteem is derived from their work. They base who they are on what they do. Because of this, they often push hard at the expense of their family and personal lives.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” (ESV)

The time to work hard and build a career is important. But eventually, that season should lessen, and you can start to reap the benefits of this work.

I'm not talking about retirement. I'm talking about everyday life. A personal example may explain it.

When we started Mantour Ministries, I had to work my tail off to get these conferences going. I had to make calls, advertise, figure out how to do things, plan, budget, and so many other things. It was not uncommon for me to work 60 hours a week, work on holidays, and put all my efforts into starting this ministry.

I gained a lot of self-esteem from my hard work.

People always praised my hard work and effort, and I enjoyed this praise. My job became my identity.

Then, one day, my mentor told me I was working so hard that I was missing life. He spoke a word I desperately needed to hear…BALANCE.

Now, I'd love to say that I instantly changed and became Mr. Balance. But I didn't. COVID hit shortly after that, and there wasn't anything else to do, so I worked a lot.

Then I heard this woman say what we quoted above, and it hit me. I had to make sure that I started not working as hard. I'm not saying I don't work. I do…and I work hard when I work. But it doesn't take as much work to do what I do now as it used to; the simple fact of muscle memory and an organized system frees up time. So I work, but I also live. I have a life away from the office. I have found balance. I'm still working on it, but I am really trying not to let what I do define who I am.

Guys, an unstoppable man realizes that sometimes he must slow down and take a breath before moving forward. Balance.

It's okay to not always be working. It's okay to leave work at work and invest in your family. Give them what they deserve.

Bibliography:

1. “Sell or Stay.” Rehab Addict Rescue, created by Nicole Curtis, season 1, episode 1, Bodega Productions, 2021.