I have a confession.  I suffer from one of the most common diseases in our culture.  It is insidious, highly contagious, and terribly debilitating.  You may not have heard of it, but I guarantee you know someone who has it, and chances are high that, if you will closely examine yourself, you will see some symptoms, if not a full-blown case.

Some of the symptoms:

  1. The inability to say “no” to a request or the need to over-explain or apologize when you must say “no” because you feel guilty every time you say it.
  2. A to-do list that gets longer every day, no matter how many things you accomplish because you add two items for every one you check off.
  3. More “back burner” projects than you have burners.
  4. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion because every part of you is reminding you that your pace is not sustainable.
  5. Resentment toward new requests that come (and those who bring them), followed by guilt because you are feeling resentment.
  6. A growing collection of unused or underused productivity and time management tools (either electronic or physical).
  7. The word “busy” shows up in almost every conversation you have.
  8. A day off or a vacation usually involves so many activities that you come back more exhausted than when you left.
  9. Incessant checking of social media, email, or news outlets to be sure you are keeping up with what’s going on in the world.

Do any of those sound familiar?  If so, you may be a FOMO sufferer as well. 

What is FOMO?  Fear Of Missing Out.  Check out how it works with those symptoms:

  1. I can’t say “no.”  They will stop asking or they will be upset with me.  What if God sent them to me and doing this is His will?
  2. There are so many opportunities.  What if I miss the big one?
  3. I know these things are important to do sometime, but there’s so much that has to be done right now.
  4. I’m so overwhelmed that I’m not really enjoying my life, but I’m so deep into it that I can’t stop.
  5. If one more person asks me to do something, I’m going to lose it!  But that is not a good Christian response.  Man, what’s wrong with me?
  6. Maybe this tool, this planner, this course will be “the one” that makes everything fall into place—at least until the next one comes along.
  7. You only Iive once. Life is short.  “Make the most of every opportunity” is Biblical, right?
  8. The only thing worse than a busy day is a boring day.
  9. What if something really important happens and I’m the last to find out?  What if I miss an opportunity because I didn’t know until it was too late?

FEAR Of Missing Out.  Fear is the key word.  Fear most often shows up in “what if” questions.  FOMO can rob us of the very best of life’s opportunities while we are chasing life’s opportunities.    FOMO can distract us from the reality of how much our lives matter to God. There is so much more to say about FOMO because it is a big, big deal.  Stay tuned.

FOMO can rob us of the best of life’s opportunities while we are chasing life’s opportunities. Click To Tweet

About

Just an ordinary guy living an amazing life. Amazed by God and joining Him in His amazing activity in the world. Seeking the flourishing of fellow travelers. Author, Blogger, Speaker, Singer, CoachSultant, Husband, Dad, Grandpa.