Are Tolerations Tiring You Out?

How long have you been using those tongs that give you carpel tunnel because they’ve never worked properly? How many times have you tripped over the rug by the front door because the edges don’t sit flat? Is the drip, drip, drip of the bathroom faucet keeping you up night after night? I don’t know about you, but I never seem to be completely free of those minor household irritations. I can only tolerate them for so long before I have to take action for my own sanity.

Putting up with tolerations over a long period of time can be incredibly draining. Eliminating them takes less time than you may think. In fact, we often spend more time and energy tolerating them than it would take to remove them. But first, we need a plan of action. Here’s what works for me and will likely help you as well.

First, make a list of what’s bugging you. Some of these things are on your mind and will come to you quickly. To get them all on paper, I suggest you walk around the house, room by room, so you will be reminded of what needs to be fixed or replaced.  Once you have a comprehensive list, you need to decide which items require hiring someone and which ones you can do yourself. For those you plan to tackle, schedule time in your calendar over the next week or two to spend working on a few of them. Consider it an appointment with yourself and honor it as you would any other appointment with a friend, business associate or other professional. You may want to schedule either an evening, part of the weekend, or a full day depending on which works best for your energy level and ability to focus. For the items that require outside help, determine who you will hire. Ask friends for recommendations or do an online search and ask for references. Then, schedule time to make the phone call(s). Consolidating several small jobs in one day will be more cost effective than calling a handy-man for individual projects, so you need to be organized and armed with your list. As each little job is completed, cross it off your list and notice how you feel. If you are anything like me, you will feel lighter and have more energy and clarity. You may even notice you are more relaxed and able to truly enjoy your home and your family.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when we’re faced with a long list to projects to complete. Break it down into manageable tasks and get the help you need. As you chip away at it, you will feel a greater sense of control and peace of mind.

So, what toleration will you eliminate this week?  Make a commitment by leaving your comment here and then write back to let us all know how it feels when you’ve crossed it off your list.