Have you ever felt like that Dancing Chicken at the fair? The one from the movie Pure Country? George Strait’s character, feeling burnt out by the pressures of fame, perfectly captures this sentiment when he says, “Sometimes I feel like a dancing chicken.” His drummer then asks the million-dollar question: “You know what I always wondered? Why didn’t that chicken just jump off the stage?”
This simple analogy speaks volumes about the hectic pace of modern life. How long has it been since you truly paused and took a breath? In our relentless pursuit of “more,” are we becoming like that dancing chicken, frantically performing without purpose, simply because the show must go on?
The Trap of Overcommitment
It’s easy to fall into the trap. We live in a culture that often equates busyness with importance. As the saying goes, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” But at what cost? We fill our calendars until there’s no white space left, often feeling guilty if we actually have downtime. Why have open spaces become a source of guilt? Could it be we’ve got it all backward, chasing more – more money, more activities, more hobbies, more accomplishments – without considering what truly nourishes our souls?
Donald Whitney, in his book The Spiritual Disciplines, wisely observes, “They have dabbled in everything but discipline themselves in nothing.” Are we becoming dabblers, spreading ourselves thin across countless commitments – extracurriculars, relationships, parenting, faith, work – without truly investing deeply in what matters most?
Like many, I’m prone to overdoing it. Throughout different seasons of life – as a young, childless teacher, during infertility struggles, through loss, and now as a homeschooling mom – the tendency to overcommit and glorify busyness has been a recurring theme. I’ve bought into the lie that “more is better,” pushing rest to the back burner. But the truth is, more isn’t always better, and rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Breaking Free from the Dance
So, how do we break free from this “dancing chicken” existence? How do we reclaim our time and focus on what truly matters? It requires doing the hard things:
- Assess: Take an honest look at where you are and where you genuinely desire to be.
- Prioritize: Determine what truly holds significance in your life.
- Minimalize: Reduce the excess commitments that drain your energy.
- Just Say No: Learn to politely decline requests that don’t align with your priorities.
Sounds simple, yet saying “no” can feel like the hardest word to utter. But it’s crucial. The pressure to say “yes” is immense, and the consequences of constant overcommitment are real. We see it in the rising rates of stress and anxiety, the reliance on quick fixes like medication, and the stories of women pushing themselves to the brink of breakdown. We are leaving ourselves little to no margin to simply breathe.
This isn’t just a personal struggle; it’s a societal trend. Books and podcasts are increasingly addressing this very issue of overcommitment. Experts are highlighting how this generation is attempting to juggle more than ever before, leading to unsustainable levels of stress.
Creating a Plan for Simplicity
The good news is we can create a plan to step off the stage, just like that dancing chicken should.
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Time Audit: Assess where your time is actually going. Create a list or spreadsheet of all your current commitments and activities. Then, map out a typical day, blocking out time for each activity. This visual representation can be eye-opening.
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Prioritize with Your People: Once you see where your time goes, identify the non-negotiables. Then, involve your family or those closest to you. Ask them what activities they genuinely enjoy and value. You might be surprised by their answers. Often, it’s the simple things – like being home together – that matter most.
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Define Your Circle and Stick to It: Draw a metaphorical circle around your priorities for a specific period, like a month. These are your “must-dos.” Commit to not adding anything else to that circle unless something else is removed. This creates boundaries and forces intentionality.
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Embrace the Power of “No”: Saying “yes” might feel easier in the moment, but saying “no” is essential for long-term sanity. Find an accountability group or even just a friend to help you navigate requests and make wise decisions about your commitments. Sometimes, verbalizing the sheer volume of requests makes it clear – it’s simply impossible to do it all, nor should we try.
Just like the drummer in Pure Country suggested the dancing chicken jump off the stage, it’s time for us to call a timeout. Regroup, prioritize, minimalize, and say no. Ask yourself the hard questions: Who matters most? What truly matters most? What must stay, and what can go?
Many things in life are doable, but not all are sustainable. We can live in a frenzy for a season, but not long-term. Let’s work together to create a new normal – a slower, simpler, more intentional normal. Let’s choose to say no, trading fleeting popularity for genuine respect and lasting well-being. For our sanity, our relationships, our families, and for our own humanity, it’s time to jump off the stage and stop being a dancing chicken.
