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What's the Priority Here?
Think about it: Humans are the only creatures in nature that resist the pattern of ebb and flow. We want the sun to shine all night, and when it doesn't, we create cities that never sleep. Seeking a continuous energetic and emotional high, we use everything from exciting parties to illegal chemicals. But natural ebbs—the darkness between days, the emptiness between fill-ups, the fallow time between growing seasons—are the necessary complements of upbeats. They hold a message for us. If you listen at your life's low points, you'll hear it, too. It's just one simple, blessed word: Rest.–Martha Beck

Keep Reading: How to conquer your resistance to rest

What If I Don't Have Enough Time?
There are two problems with time. The first one is that after a certain number of hours fatigue inevitably sets in. After that, you make more mistakes, you get into more conflict with co-workers, you're less creative and you're less efficient. The second problem with time is that it's finite, and most of us don't have any of it left to invest. Our dance cards are full. For example, in an effort to get more done, one of the first things we're willing to sacrifice is sleep.

But consider this disturbing fact: Sleeping even a single hour less than our bodies require reduces our cognitive capacity dramatically. Much as we try, we can't fool our bodies. Consider this statistic: Even a single hour less sleep than you need to feel fully rested takes a significant toll on your capacity to think clearly and logically when you're awake. Sacrificing sleep is self-defeating. So, what's the solution? It's not to manage your time better. It's to manage your energy. –Tony Schwartz

Keep Reading: How to manage your energy (before it manages you)

Am I Surrounded by Energy Suckers?
Energy Suckers (a.k.a Negative Nancies, Debbie Downers and Sad Sids). These are the people who find the cloud around every silver lining. If you can't cut them out of your life entirely, turn your interactions with them into a game. When my neighbor says, "I hate this horrible weather!" I say, "Isn't horrible weather great? It means I don't have to wash my car!" –Donna Brazile

Keep Reading: 6 things you can live without forever

Do I Have to Do It All by Myself?
Insisting on doing everything yourself burdens you and prevents others from feeling valuable and needed. Delegate more at home and at work, and free your time for things you love and excel at. –Julie Morgenstern

Keep Reading: 5 ways to get a life

Next Question: What would it take for me to just say no?

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