How to Avoid Being Martha in Your Business

Did you ever have one of those weeks where you totally lost your peace and where on edge with everyone?

Can I just say, this past week I was under the stress cloud and it was pouring down over me! Yesterday I had to shut down and get quiet to try and find my peace again.  I began to look over the events of my week to figure out how I got so off track.

Let me tell you, it’s super easy to fall back into a pattern you are familiar with.  I have this strange addiction to want to stay with a project until it is finished and finished fast.  So that means if I have to not eat or sleep to get the project done, I will.  If I have to neglect my husband and kids, I will.  I’m not proud of this. I’m just being honest.  I don’t feel at rest until it’s complete.  It’s not like I had a deadline with this specific project.  I just wanted to see the project completed.

To sit back and see what I accomplished feels good.  You see what I said in that last sentence……”see what I accomplished”.

That is where I lose my peace.  When I start to work in my own strength, my own ability and I am no longer operating in God’s strength and depending on him, I’m headed for trouble

I’m reminded of the story in the bible about Mary and Martha.

As the Mary/Martha story goes, we find Mary smack in the middle of the living room, sitting with the boys, soaking up Jesus’s words. Martha? Well, she’s scurrying around the kitchen like a whirlwind, checking the roast lamb, setting the table, and finishing the cake. This woman is on a mission and will not stop until all of the guests are happily rubbing full stomachs. I can totally relate to Martha.  She’s my girl.

That was me last week.  I was running around trying to complete my project and Pat my husband was going about his normal routine of having worship time, soaking in the hot tub and then going about his day of seeing clients.  I began to feel very upset that I was having to do all this stuff to finish my project.  I was short with everyone. (That is the first sign you are no longer operating in the spirit)

So just like Martha I ran to the Lord and told him about the unfairness of my situation I was in with having to work so much to complete this project.

I love how the Lord will let me have my moment of drama and then lovingly showed me what the solution was and most importantly how I brought this on myself.  Of course, HE took me to this story to show me where I got off track.

After Martha says her piece, Jesus offers her the path to peace. Jesus tells her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42

Jesus reminded Martha – and us – what to be “concerned” with, where to focus, and what should take a front row seat in our life and that is spending time with him and seeking him first.

The problem with Martha is not her serving, but rather that she was consumed with herself and all she had to do.  She was not present to the Lord and maybe what HE wanted for her.  So the same goes for us.  My project is good but the problem was I got so consumed with the project I didn’t take time to seek HIM first.  In fact, I let my time with the Lord fall by the side because I was focused on completing the project.

So here are the 4 things I feel I needed to do that could have made my week more peaceful and would have allowed me to operate my business from a place of grace and not grind.

1. Delegate:  Delegation can be scary because in some ways, you are giving up control…and let’s be honest, most of us entrepreneurial types don’t like to give up control. However, “you can have control or you can have growth, but you can’t have both.  If it’s in your business or the running of your house you must delegate.  It didn’t learn this until I was in my early 40’s .When it comes to running the house I used to do it all but now I ask the family to get involved with everything.  I no longer have to be SUPERMOM.
2. Take Breaks:  You need to give yourself a few mental breaks throughout the day when you are working on a specific project, even if only for 10 minutes. Go outside and get some vitamin D. Turn on some music and take a quick walk. Relax and breath for at least 10 minutes throughout the day. This honestly will do wonders to keep you from stressing out. Jump in the hot tub and listen to praise music like my hubby does.  I sometimes hook up my TRX on my office door and do a few squats.
3. Practice Solitude:  Learning to be still is a game changer. The bible says be still and know that I am God.  HE has a purpose for wanting us to be still. When we sit in stillness it allows our brain to become creative and take on a new perspective. This stillness has a purpose both physically and spiritually. Our brain was designed for love and optimism. The more we can practice solitude and silence the more we can get to the deep spiritual part of who we are and get us to the most fruitful place of our life.
4. Ask for Help: If you are an online entrepreneur, it’s easy to isolate yourself. When we believe we are in this thing all alone, stress tends to hit harder. When you are feeling overwhelmed, ask for help. Get some advice from someone you trust. Go to someone older and wiser than you and ask for some encouragement and guidance. Hire a coach and ask them to lead you in the right direction. Don’t try to do this thing alone. The entrepreneurial life is best lived in community, with lots of support.

Life isn’t easy. Building a business isn’t easy. Even the best of us get off track and stressed out. When you hustle hard in your own strength, you fizzle out quickly.  Do what you can to not fall into the Martha Syndrome and take the time you need to reset and rest with the LORD. Implement a few of these tips to avoid having a crazy week like I just experienced. I have a free gift to help you access grace and do away with the grind “10 Keys to Access Grace Over Grind” Download HERE