Discussion Thread: Wisdom Strategies for Developing/Maintaining a Healthy Office
In life, there will be moments where everything is going great, and there will be moments where
things seem to be going downhill. Some circumstances or something we can control, and others
will be out of our control. However, there are two things that we can always do, and that is
choosing the way we perceive something and deciding how to react. Choosing how we perceive
something will lead us to a positive or negative reaction. In his lecture, “Understanding Stress
and Burnout,” Doctor Elias Moitinho referred to this as “Cognitive Appraisal,” which is the
perspective we choose to have on the circumstances we might face. As the CEO responsible for
making wise office maintenance decisions, I have identified harmful and helpful patterns in my
approach to self-care. First, I will describe the present state of the Holy Spirit's office (my body).
Then I will develop a preferred office state. Lastly, I will delineate a practical strategy to achieve
the preferred office state.
Present State of the Holy Spirit’s Office
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Psychological
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My mind is on the run 24/7. Many times, I find myself being somewhere
physically and somewhere else mentally. According to the DISC assessment, I am
an SC style, and as an SC style, I find myself taking on too many things. I am
someone that does not know how to say no, and like Rosenberg & Silvert (2015)
explain, not knowing how to say no is a trait that leads me to become
overburdened. Issler & Miller (2012) discusses five formation gaps (our blind
spots), and in my present state, I believe I stand in the “Disconnected Gap,” where
I am disconnected from God when I don’t take a pause.
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In the present state, I also see some helpful patterns, which is the ability to
become aware of my frustration and distress. Pettit (2008) says that if we desire to
become more intimate with God, we must be mindful of how our mindset affects
our walk with God (p. 132). I can become aware of my wrongdoings, and I am
always willing to work on myself to become who God wants me to be.
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Physical
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“I am too busy, and I do not have the time” there are the words that come out of
my mouth when someone asks me if I exercise. Unfortunately, with the lousy
pattern of always overbooking, I never get the chance to take care of my physical
health. Bradberry & Greaves (2009) explain the benefits of “giving your mind a
fighting chance” and how this comes from taking care of your body. In the present
state, there is no mental recharge time and no exercise routines.
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A helpful pattern towards my physical state is how I eat—most of the time, I c,
cook or buy healthy and delicious food.
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Social
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My GPS is: “Seeking to become a beacon for Christ, I am committed to becoming
an edifying wife.” Yet, in my present state, I come out defensive, judgemental,
and unemotional because of my frustration. I have a terrible pattern in which I let
my frustration express itself through my face. I show my stress to others, and
often I let my anger out on people who have nothing to do with what I am going
through. Pettit (2008) calls these “sinful reaction patterns” (P. 138).
○
A good pattern in my present state is that I recognize my flaws and experience his
peace every time I come to him with my anxious thoughts. With an SC
personality style, I tend always to be a good listener and help others work through
issues. When frustration is out of the way, I am very approachable to others.
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Spiritual
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Through his book, Becker (2018) opened my eyes to how becoming overbusy can
lead to a lifestyle where essential things are not prioritized. Even though in my
present state, I pray, I am not reading his Scripture enough. There is a bad pattern
of leaving my scripture time as the last thing on my list. I say, “I will read his
Scriptures after putting three kids to sleep,” but who am I kidding?
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By the time they all fall asleep, I am either sleeping or too tired.
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I have good patterns that have helped me flourish, which is my prayer life. I am
honest with my Father in Heaven about everything.
Preferred Office State
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Psychological
○
“Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake with no storms. It comes from having
Jesus in the boat” (Ortberg, 2014, p. 116). In my preferred state, I pause and
recognize that Jesus is in the boat. I pause and hear God’s voice guiding me
towards the things I must do. My mind rests in God’s presence in my preferred
state, and I allow him to guide the boat. I am not overburdened because I have put
everything in God’s hands.
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Physical
○
In my preferred state, I schedule a daily routine where I have time to recharge my
body. I run, take a walk, or do any kind of workout. I give my body time to
breathe and gain strength. Performing exercise routines have strengthened my
brain, which is responsible for better decision-making, planning, organization, and
rational thinking (Bradberry & Greaves, 2009).
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Social
○
“The Spirit never just flows in us; he flows through us so that others might
flourish as well” (Ortberg, 2010, p. 42). I am a beacon for Christ that edifies my
husband in my preferred state. A beacon helps guide and illuminates a safe path.
In my preferred form, I do not let my compulsions to react dominate my life
(Pettit, 2008, p. 138). I release to God first instead of dismissing my troubles to
others. In this state, I have learned to rely on God, and I am not letting my
frustration and stress come in between my relationships.
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Spiritual
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As Pettit (2008) says, “We do not take the spiritual life seriously if we do not set
aside time to be with God and listen to him” (p. 140). I have set a time to read and
meditate on the Scriptures in my preferred state. My cup has started overflowing
because my heart and mind are flowing with the Spirit. I have a sense of “God-
given vitality and joyful aliveness” flowing in me (Ortberg, 2014, p. 10). Carrying
God’s thoughts in my mind has made my life richer. My mind now rests on
knowing God's plans for me instead of having a sense full of distress.
Practical Steps
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Psychological
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Every time I find myself physically present but not mentally present, I will step
aside, breathe and pause. I will take a “breath prayer” such as “God, I’m casting
all my cares on you” (Ortberg, 2014, p. 126).
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I will acknowledge my God and present to him my worries and stresses.
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I will not prioritize everything. I will only prioritize what matters. As Becker
(2018) puts it, I will not get too busy chasing the wrong things that I will miss
enjoying the right things.
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This will only work If I have my friend to keep me accountable for what goes into
my schedule. I may fall back and forget that saying “no” is fine. Therefore, I will
have an accountability friend who I will share my calendar with,
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Physical
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I will start by taking a walk every day if possible. On Tuesdays and Thursdays,
my son has soccer practice, and I will walk around the park instead of just sitting
there.
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I also have workout mats and small weights at home, and I will start working on
our routine at least twice a week.
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I will let my daughter know since she loves working out. I know for a fact she
will not let me go to bed without working out with her. She will serve as my
accountability partner in this one.
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This will give me a chance to recharge my body with energy.
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Social:
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I will start cultivating a pause rhythm in my life. I believe this will help me vent
my emotions and feelings to God before coming and realizing them to others.
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I will start perceiving things with a more positive attitude and spiritual eyes.
Ortberg (2014) says, “The most direct way to another person is not talking to
them. The most direct way is talking to Jesus.”
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Lastly, I will not continue a conversation without calming down first. Pettit (2008)
explains how our emotions are the ones that move us, and therefore allowing God
to work in me first will help me experience a more abundant life with others.
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Spiritual
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I will go ahead and buy myself a daily devotional book.
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I will start waking up an hour before everyone to spend time with God. I want to
be intentional about my time with Him.
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I will go to bed earlier so in the morning I am well rested to spend time in his
word.
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I will set my alarm and let my husband know my plan. Therefore, if I began to fall
back, he might remind me and help me. Perhaps we can do it since we both have
busy schedules throughout the day.
I want to be “God’s best version of me” to become a beacon for Christ, so I may be able to guide
and help others flourish in their lives and callings.
References
Becker, J. (2018). The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
(Reprint). WaterBrook.
Bradberry, T., Greaves, J., & Lencioni, P. M. (2009, June 16). Emotional Intelligence 2.0
(31565th ed.). TalentSmart.
Issler, K., & Miller, C. (2012, March 7). Living into the Life of Jesus: The Formation of
Christian Character. IVP Books.
Ortberg, J. (2014). The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You. Zondervan.
Pettit, P. (2008). Foundations of Spiritual Formation: A Community Approach to Becoming
Like Christ (Illustrated). Kregel Academic & Professional.
Rosenberg, M., & Silvert, D. (2015, July 2). Taking Flight!: Master the DISC Styles to
Transform Your Career, Your Relationships. . .Your Life (1st ed.). FT Press.
