JourneyMen Require Margin

"Margin" (M) has been defined as the space between the "load" (L) on our lives and the "capacity" (C) we have to bear the load.

Margin = Capacity - Load

It's a simple enough concept, but not quite so simple in practice.

All we are responsible for doing, and all that we choose to take on, comprise the "load". Collectively, the load is much greater than it was a generation ago, and far greater than it has been for 99% of the history of mankind. We live in an information-soaked, constantly communicated, work and obligation-loaded, multi-tasked culture.

Each man's "capacity" is his own, and there are many physical, emotional and environmental variables. However, every one of us has 24 hours each day, no more and no less. We each need sufficient rest and exercise, mutually supportive relationships, reasonably healthy food, faith in God, knowledge of our God-given purposes and how to carry them out, and practical experience at effective living.

Depending upon capacity and load, margin can be positive or negative. When load exceeds capacity, margin has gone negative and has become "margin deficit". What does it look like? It looks like chronic multi-tasking. It looks like sleeping five or six hours a night to squeeze in evening activities and still beat commuter traffic in the morning. It looks like skipping our prayer and devotion time, or shortcutting family relationships to "get through" our paces. It looks like disheartenment, and even despair. It looks out of control, because it is. Many of us have been or are now in margin deficit.

Continuous margin deficit is hazardous to our health, our relationships, and our spiritual wellbeing. It causes and contributes to depression, fatigue, irritability, addictions, broken relationships, anxiety, sleep disorders and countless other maladies.

A positive margin is essential to a good life. Quality relationships with God and others are built "in the margin". These relationships suffer or die when margin goes negative. Many of us learn that our best creative thinking and planning is done "in the margin". We simply cannot be fully successful in living our lives as men of God - as JourneyMen - without some positive margin in our lives.

Once it has been given up, margin is difficult but not impossible to reclaim. Restoration of positive margin requires personal strategy and commitment, innovation and follow-through. We cannot reclaim margin by intending to do something about it, or by sleeping less. We must come up with specific, practical ideas to restore margin, then commit ourselves to implementing them.

Accountability is essential to progress: Once we have decided to restore margin in our lives, what are we doing about it?