Why Margin Matters
In a world that seems to be perpetually accelerating, where the demands on our time, mental faculties, emotions, and finances grow exponentially, the notion of building margin into our lives might sound like a relic of the good ol’ days. But this practice is not only relevant but essential for achieving a life of satisfaction and minimal stress. In the pursuit of success, we often cram our plates to the brim, neglecting the importance of making space in our lives. Now, this is far from easy for many of us pursuing careers, raising families, active in our communities, and even trying to pursue our own hobbies somewhere in between all of that, but it’s worth it.
The True Limited Resource
In a world where busyness is worn as a badge of honor, we often overlook the importance of building in margin on our calendars. Consider this: what would it mean to have a few unscheduled hours in your week? Time to read, take a leisurely stroll, or simply be still and allow yourself to think without rushing? The value of time margin is immeasurable. If you are focused on productivity, study after study has shown that by deliberately creating gaps in our schedules and taking strategic breaks, we ultimately are more productive in the whole. But beyond that by not rushing from one thing to the next constantly (admittedly easier said than done from a father of two kids going from soccer, to softball, to climbing team, to science club, to…), you can build time in for those experiences that otherwise don’t fit on the calendar. By not rushing to that next appointment, you can actually stop and help the person on the side of the road with a flat tire, have a casual conversation with a potential new friend because you got somewhere early, take the scenic route and see a different part of your city/county/state.
Give Your Mind a Break
Our mind only thrives with the proper care and attention. Mental and emotional margin means giving ourselves permission to step away from the constant barrage of information, notifications, problem solving, and the endless scroll. Just as a car engine needs regular maintenance to perform optimally, our minds need moments of stillness. What that mental break looks like is unique for each of us. But find those things that allow you to process thoughts, cultivate new ideas, and rejuvenate yourself mentally. Our minds need room to breathe. Emotional margin is your shield against life's ups and downs. It's about taking a step back and dealing with things from a place of calm. When you've got that space, you're better equipped to face life's inevitable craziness.
Design Your Finances to Allow for Room to Breathe
In our modern world, money is the reality that we must all work within and touches nearly every piece of our lives in some way or another. More and more studies are finding overwhelmingly, that financial stress is one of the biggest causes of stress for individuals and relationships. We know that in the real world we should expect the unexpected stuff that comes up, and the costs with it. The car breaks down, a tree falls on the house in a storm, the washing machine breaks. Just like everything else, what the right amount of margin looks like from one person to the next is vastly different. But it’s a reality that can happen with intentional financial planning. By building a financial cushion through saving and mindful spending, we create a safety net that provides peace of mind and the ability to weather unexpected financial storms.
At a whole other level, think of having built your baseline lifestyle around being able to withstand the sudden loss of a job or have your fixed expenses (like the mortgage, car payments, utilities) set up that allow for a large enough margin that you could even take a chance on a lower paying job that you think has great potential into the future or gives you more satisfaction. Think of this as the margin for opportunity or freedom.
Ripple Effect
The value of building margin into our lives is often lost in today’s constant hustle, but paramount. It’s not a dusty old concept, it’s a way to really add value to your life while making yourself and your life anti-fragile along the way. Life isn't a race to the finish line or some number in a bank account number, but the compilation of your story of experiences and relationships along the way to enjoy life. This isn't a prescription for an idle life, but a call to a deliberate one; be intentional and live purposefully. By creating space for ourselves in our schedules, our minds, and in our finances, we carve out a path to a richer life capable of seizing opportunities along the way.
So, go ahead and set your meetings so that you have 10 “whole” minutes between them, set aside 15 minutes for a walk in the middle of the day, or even start saving for a 3-month sabbatical. Choose experiences over stuff, people over things, and peace over chaos. Go Live Life on Purpose.