The Striving Idea Addict is consumed by extra.

When we strive as Idea Addicts, we find it incredibly difficult to focus. We are preoccupied with the extra in life. It is difficult for us to determine what is important and what is simply extra. We get anxious and overwhelmed with a lack of clarity. Sometimes this leads us to go in multiple directions. Sometimes it leads us to do nothing.

The result is more anxiety, overwhelm and lack of clarity. We become paralyzed. So we try harder, spinning in place. Eventually we collapse under the pressure.

How do we manage it all? What is really important? What is just extra?

It does not feel like you have extra. Everything seems to be uber critical in life. Despite what others may say, you feel like everything is tied for first place on your todo list, your calendar, your relationships. We must learn to understand extra.

Extra is not good or bad. It is just extra. It is different for each person, for each Idea Addict. What is extra for one may be extremely valuable to another. Indeed, something that was substantial in your life at one point, may later become an extra. The opposite is true to. What once was extra may one day become priority one.

Many things can determine what is extra for you. In fact, we often feel like we have no vote in this election. The fact is, when it comes to extra, we actually get the only vote. You decide what is extra for you.

What is more, not only do you decide what is extra, you get to choose how much extra to have. You can have less or more. Most Idea Addicts do not realize the extra in their life and they choose to have as much of it as possible.

As a culture, we are preoccupied with extra. We cannot get enough of it. We are so enamored with extra, that we do not even realize anymore what is extra. As a result, we worry about our extra, spend a lot of time, money and energy on extra, and we fill our lives to overflowing levels with extra.

To recap:
1. Extra is not good or bad. It is just extra.
2. You choose what is extra for you.
3. You are choosing more extra.

So what do we do with this? Take a moment now and write down this question, “What and who is extra in my life?” Eventually, this may be a couple lists. For now, keep it simple as one list. Like most Striving Idea Addicts, you will begin to realize you have a lot of extra.

What and who is extra in my life?