Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives

by Richard A. Swenson, Eugene H. Peterson

Margin is the space that once existed between ourselves and our limits. Today we use margin just to get by. This book is for anyone who yearns for relief from the pressure of overload. Reevaluate your priorities, determine the value of rest and simplicity in your life, and see where your identity really comes from. The benefits can be good health, financial stability, fulfilling relationships, and availability for God’s purpose.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Christian, Christian Living, Leadership, Personal Development, Productivity

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1992

Reviews

[Andreas Lorenz · Rating 2 out of 5]

ATTENTION: This book is NOT a science book - so if that is that you are looking for, then read no further and skip this book.

This book is sermon - a long one. Some times science is mentioned and quoted BUT God is always the ultimate reason, mean and end in one. This becomes more and more pronounced throughout the book.

I was looking for books based in science - and as an atheist I have a hard time accepting that God has the center stage. SO: I might not be the right person to review this book as I am not it's audience.

To the content: The premise of the book is that progress and modernity promised to take us to the (secular) "promised land": Material abundance, good work life balance and no stress and so on, but in fact we have paid a very high price so far with stress, loneliness, disconnectedness, loss of community and sense of belonging and so on. The reason: Loss of "margin" because we collectively and individually try to squeeze to much out of time and resources.

So the book aims to address these illnesses of modernity in 2 ways: 1) Some self help book-style advises ("prescriptions") on how to deal with this, but as a person who has read a lot of self help books over the years I will recommend that you ignore this book as a self help guide and go for much more specialized books on each of the mentioned areas (Emotions, health, financial situation and time (management?)) as his advises are (too) short (not comprehensive), somewhat outdated and not very scientifically substantiated.

The "strength" of this book this thus how it uses biblical scripture to give advise and find purpose - given of cause that you believe in God. As an atheist I find this meaningless thus I give this book a poor review and I don't recommend it.

I give it 2 stars (and not 1) because some of the advises are generally wise thoughts on life - even though their origin are fictional.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read "Margin" because I knew I needed some in my life and was looking for practical ways to establish it - especially as someone who works primarily from home. While "Margin" would be great to give to someone who needs to slow down a bit and doesn't know it - if you're already craving a slower pace in life, with the time and space to enjoy life - this will only tell you what you already know. Still looking for more practicality and specific ideas!

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Swenson makes a good point stating that as Americans we are so busy we no longer have time to rest and relax. He calls extreme busyness "overload" and relaxation, "margin." As a doctor he said he would write a prescription for his super-stressed patients that looks like this:

Symptom: Pain
Diagnosis: Overload
Prescription: Margin
Prognosis: Health.

Hmmmm...........that's a lot to think about!

He points out that even though our lives are easier today than they were just 100 years ago, we are much more stressed due to owning too much "stuff," pushing ourselves so hard, living beyond our means financially, overloaded by technology and media, and sleeping less so that we can keep up appearances. He touches on depression and how more people are depressed today than in the past. He does offer a solution for it as service to others - good advice!

I loved the comment too about Americans needing to eat more nutrionally adequate food. He mentions food from "God's way" or "factory's way." His advice is to eat the most direct food from "the Father's hand." Good advice for all generations.

Finally, I loved his comment on the Prosperity Ladder on p. 159. "Most of us look 'up the ladder' and notice that the wealthy have more than we do. This of course, strikes a near fatal blow at one's contentment. If instead, we reversed our gaze and looked down the ladder, our gratitude would thrive and opportunities for sharing would abound." Good advice for trying to be content with what we have and helping others. I need to remember this!

[Austenn Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real good. There should be a bundle available that consists of this book, ruthless elimination of hurry (comer), soul keeping (ortberg), and sabbath as resistance (brueggemann) for everyone who feels like they’re dying on the inside at times. it’ll be well with your soul, that’s fasho

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story.... I've been wanting to read this for a year but the library didn't have a copy. Then I recently found it on my Kindle... apparently I don't have enough margin in my life to realize I already owned it!

Great read... highly recommend if you struggle with overload and need to clear some clutter in your life. 4.5 stars, because a few tangents or dated sections.

My notes/quotes:
Discerning Christians have long known that God is not impressed with our wealth, education, or power. Nevertheless, we have labored eagerly in those fields. What if instead, we were to begin measuring our progress not by our wealth but by our virtue; not by our education but by our humility; and not by our power but by our meekness?

Wisdom is almost always slow. Wait for clearness. The more important the decision, the longer the time you should take to make it. If life's pace pushes you, push back. Take as much time and prayer as you need for clearness to develop. And wait for your decision to be affirmed by peace.

The choice of nearly the entire Western world is to travel down the economic road. If we are honest with ourselves, we should admit that the economic road was never suggested to us by Christ.

Contentment is the freedom that comes when prosperity or poverity do not matter, to accept what we have and to want but little. The more we choose contentment, the more God sets us free. The more He sets us free, the more we choose contentment.

Set new standards for contentment using the truth of scripture. Develop "counter habits". Instead of getting, try giving. Instead of replacing, try preserving. Instead of feeling covetous, try feeling grateful. instead of feeling inferior before men, try feeling accepted by God.

Does the Bible infer we are to live like a king or like THE KING? - Rev Tom Allen

Make your commitments simple
Don't overwork
Fast periodically from media, food, people
Elevate reading, go to the library
Simplify Christmas
Write down those things you need to remember and forget everything else.

If you wish to achieve excellence but also have life balance, beware. Others striving for excellence will not approve of balance.

Reference to "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Lindbergh

The rest Christ offers is the rest of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend.

[Phong Co · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out very promisingly, explaining why we are suffering and stressful because our lives are too hectic, because we have too many commitments and keep trying to pile on more. We need to add margin, little spaces where our minds and bodies can rest. So far so great.

But then, little by little, God enters the picture. You need margin because it's God's plan. Jesus didn't have a calendar, so neither should you. Richard Swenson is obviously a devout Christian, and I have great respect for that, but as a non-Christian it became very uncomfortable to be told that I was not on the right path.

There are some good ideas here, I just wish they weren't so heavily wrapped in religious doctrine.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the fact that this book was written by a medical professional. A doctor. Someone who could give credence to how lack of margin contributes physiologically to our bad health.

That said,

* I felt the book was far more negative than positive. You expect books to set the stage, to define the problem before proffering a solution. This waited til late in the game (more than 1/3 of the way through) to even begin, and for much of the book it remained negative. It wasn't until the 80% mark (I read on Kindle) that the book felt positive.
I never commit any of my writing until I've used wordle.net as an editing agent. It illuminates which words I use. I kept thinking throughout the book that if I put the entire body of text into wordle, it would illuminate the fact that negative words are used far more often.
Really that, for me, damaged the benefit of the book, which should serve to restore (per the title) rather than burden me by understanding the problem more.
* There is a short appendix in the back. I would've loved to see that earlier on. Or at least seen it referenced. I feel like it helps build his case in a visually appealing way.
* The author used a couple personal stories from his time as a physician. I wish he had used more.

I saw in the end he has another book on margin. I'm curious how it differs.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. The first two-thirds of the book was worth three stars. I read the first edition, which was written in the 90's, so it was obviously dated. I would be curious how later editions deal with the challenges of modern technology. The first part of the book was very repetitive and honestly quite depressing, emphasizing the need for margin in our hectic modern lifestyles. Having said that, it was kind of interesting to read his perspective on events happening in the 90's and how much things have changed even since then.

I picked up this book expecting to glean practical ways to restore margin to my life, which is why I was so disappointed with the first half. While everything he said may or may not have been true, I didn't pick up this book to learn about how bad things are. I want to know how to make them better. If he had condensed the first half of the book to one chapter, I would probably give the book 4 1/2 stars. I really appreciated his perspective on restoring margin to be able to better serve God. It's not to make our lives more comfortable (although that may be a side benefit), but to allow us time to make the most of "divine interruptions." Along with that, he emphasized that relationships are the most important things in life - Our relationship to God, our relationship to others, and our relationship to ourselves which will directly impact the other two.

All in all, I really enjoyed the last portion of the book, but I had to wade through a lot to get there. I nearly stopped reading it a few times. I'll keep it for reference, but not going to recommend it, unless someone is a history nerd.

[Sara Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. I'd be interested in re-reading it with a paper book next time, as this time I listen to it as an audiobook. I read it in a huge time of transition in my life and it was really encouraging to think about the intentional ways we should structure our lives for God's glory and our wellness. This book was hard for me to get into at first because the first section of him describing the need for margin seems so long. But the second half of the book giving detailed "prescriptions" for specific areas (financial, emotional, spiritual, time, etc) in your life and especially the chapter and contentment were really really good and things I look forward to discussing with my husband. I would love to talk through this book with someone soon. They are good ideas; I'm just not sure how it works itself out in different seasons of life.

[Danny Pelichowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful book to remind us that so-called progress doesn’t necessarily lead to health… And that doing everything in all your time slots might get you ahead in some ways, but will harm you and those around you... He also showed how balance, even though sometimes pushed back on as making you weak in areas, is actually needed if you are going to wisely succeed in all areas of importance, rather than flourishing in a few, and letting key people and priorities fail due to overextended imbalanced living…

[Amy Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agreed with about 80% of what he had to say, and there were a couple of times he had thoughtful, original points. However, I would not call this a good book. The biggest issue with it was the structure and organization. Any life element that could remotely be related to the theme of “margin” was covered. Unfortunately “margin” wasn’t enough to provide a cohesive narrative. It also didn’t help that his tone and focus were all over the place. Some sections were academic, others read like a rant, and still others read like a sermon. Not to mention the cheesy bullet point “prescription” sections.

If this book was rewritten with a stronger thesis and shortened by about 1/3, it would be decent. As it stands now, one spends the majority of the book thinking “Good god man! Pick a theme and a tone and stick to it!!!”

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the worst written books I have ever read. It is chock-full of double-talk, fact-less anecdotes, and so much repetition.

I was almost 25% of the way through before I found the first comprehensible definition of margin. Not the first description, just the first one that made any sense.

The core problem is that nothing the author claims is backed up by any proofs. “Life was better before” and “think about other places” and such nonsense.

I sincerely believe anyone who rates this book as useful, in any respect, didn’t actually read it.

[Rebecca]

Much-needed for today's family. Too many of us overwhelm our lives with unnecessary drains on our resources. In a fast-paced, quickly-evolving world, it's far too easy to get swept into the current of over-extension in every facet. This book is definitely worth taking time to read, absorb, and put into practice the principles and lessons - spiritually, psychologically, financially, emotionally, and physically. We all have 24 hours in a day, regardless how you spend your energy?

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Progress has given us "more and more of everything faster and faster". Therefore our lives are overloaded and unhealthy. We need margin (breathing room) in the areas of emotional energy, physical energy, time and finances. We can work toward this by cultivating contentment, simplicity, balance and rest. Relationships should be our main priority- loving God and loving one another.

[Keren Threlfall · Rating 4 out of 5]

 

Dr. Richard Swenson is a medical doctor (with a physics degree). In Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, he writes about his experience as a physician in encountering the results of overloaded lives. On a more in depth perspective, he writes about his own coming to terms with the need for more margin in his life.
What Is Margin?

"Margin is the space between our load and our limits. It is the amount allowed beyond that which is needed. It is something held in reserve for contingencies or unanticipated situations. Margin is the gap between rest and exhaustion, the space between breathing freely and suffocating." 

In many ways, the lack of margin is like being in debt. If you've ever  read (or, listened to) Dave Ramsey, just take the same concepts and apply it to our use of time.

The first portion of the book deals with the evolution of marginless living, moving alongside the growth of "progress." Swenson states it well by saying, "Because most of us do not yet know what margin is, we also do not know what marginless is. We feel distressed, but in ill-defined ways. We can tell life isn't quite what it used to be or perhaps not quite what we expected it should be.  Then we look at our cars, homes and big screen TVs and conclude that our distress must be in our imaginations."
My Encounter with Margin
I first encountered the concept of margin long before I knew there was a term for it. But there was a definite need for it. Daniel and I were on the brink of facing burn-out from being too involved in too many areas of life with too little time. At least, the problem I thought we had was too little time. In reality, we had just as much as everyone else: 24 hours in our days, and 168 hour each week.

We had moved into a lower-income neighborhood for the specific purpose of trying to get to know our neighbors and having a ministry with them (that was linked with our church at that time). Our problem of not enough margin came to our attention both gradually, but also through some very vivid instances. We began to realize that we had no time to actually get to know our neighbors--there was always a church activity, school activity, or work scheduled into every hour. We were working with the youth group of our church, and though we often did yardwork as a youth group activity, our own yard was becoming overgrown because we never had time to be at home much more than to head to bed or make and eat a quick meal. My husband was in seminary during that time, and several times a semester he would get so sick that he would just stay in bed and sleep for a 24-hour period. We couldn't hear the "you need margin" alarms elsewhere, and so his body was forcing him to slow down.

Gradually, we began to. I was pregnant, and stopped working outside the home several months prior to the baby's birth. My husband, too, began to slow down, and eventually the problem became much clearer. We heard whisperings of margin as a friend advised, "You don't have to be back in church the Sunday after having your baby--it does not make you more or less spiritual. In fact, it might be the opposite." I heeded her advice, and my first months of motherhood were better for it. Although she intended her advice for a specific season, I began to see that I needed margin in many other areas of life, as well. Busyness was not synonymous with godliness, contrary to my previous belief that more busy equaled greater spirituality.

I was excited to learn that there was also a book by this title, and of course, a much more in depth look at the concept of and need for margin. I came across the book in attempt to do further study on the subject, and am definitely the better for reading this book.
Convicting and Encouraging
Although I felt we have moved forward in this area, I was reminded of the importance of continual reevaluation in this area, particularly as members of a society that prizes and honors busyness. As Swenson remarks, "Often we do not feel overload sneaking up on us. We instead feel energized by the rapidity of events and the challenge of our full days. Then one day we find it difficult to get out of bed.  Not all threshold limits are appreciated as we near them, and it is only in exceeding them that we suddenly feel the breakdown."

Swenson touches on margin far more than it relates to margin in our use of time. He addresses the need for margin in financial matters, simplicity, and many other areas of life. The book is written from a Christian perspective, and I found the latter portion both convicting and encouraging. In the final portion, Swenson broaches on the issue of contentment, taking on a devotional tone.

In some areas, I felt the style of the book to be weak, but overall, the message of the book comes across loud and clear. It is also clear that Swenson practices what he preaches, and is quite passionate about the dire need for lifestyle changes among American people, Christians in particular.  The first few anecdotes that open the book are like far too many sermons I have memories of--you get the idea that the speaker has a really good story that he really wants to tell, but then it has nothing to do with his sermon. I felt like this was what happened in the first two chapters; after that, I either noticed it less or the anecdotes actually connected to the theme a little better. :)

I definitely recommend this book for anyone living in our busy culture, and doubt that there anyone who would not profit from it in some way.

Have you read Margin? Do you see the need for margin in your life?

[Timothy Smallwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this book in the footnotes of a Bible study that I am working through with our church, so I bought it and read it. Many of the reviews are upset that God is at the center of this book. I am not. I expected it, knowing who it was that had read the book before me. Also, I know that God should be at the center of this type of book, because His Book has the answer for all of life's problems.

As to the contents, I do wish there was a bit more of the "How to fix it" elements, but the truth is, we really do not struggle as much with what we do not know as we do with applying what we do know. There is much value to what has been given in this book to help with the busy-ness of our everyday lives. I do not ascribe to every thought that the author is giving, but see the benefit of much of his ideas. Being a medical professional probably helps him with some audiences, so I am glad that he is who he is. For me, the Word of God transcends all of that.

If you feel that the busy schedule of your life has you trapped, take a few moments each day and glean from the wisdom found in the pages of this book. It is definitely something that I plan to read over and over again.

[Ashley Antkowiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to start off this year. I chose “rest” as my word of the year before reading Margin, and I had no idea how perfectly it would apply. I really enjoyed Dr. Swenson’s voice and found the book to be both relatable and practical. Rather than simply pointing out a problem (in this case, the destructive nature of progress), he provides many proposed solutions and practical insights (relationship, rest, love). I could definitely see myself reading this yearly as encouragement and accountability to make sure that I’m making margin a priority in my life.

[Hdollenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a class I'm taking. It wasn't anything I haven't figured out myself as a mom keeping up with 5 kids. I've learned to say no to things, and we limit the kids' activities so that we aren't running ragged every night of the week. My husband and I are very protective of our family time margin and don't commit to things we don't think we'll do well. I've realized after 8 years as a homeschooler to leave margin in my school plans, to carve out time away from my children, to make room for exercise and time with friends. The book had some good insights that I imagine might be helpful for someone who hasn't intuitively figured out how to get off the hamster wheel, but it was really more of an affirmation of some of the things we're already doing and some tips to take it further.

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is another one I should read periodically. It reminds me of how important it is to keep margin in my life and not fill every nook and cranny with activities! If there's no margin, then there's no time to listen to a friend when she needs me or talk to one of my kids about something they are experiencing. Margin is important for a healthy life. It's ok to say no to things that fill our time but don't fill us in other important ways.

[Hunter Satterfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful read for those struggling with busyness in their life. Nothing ground breaking for those that have done considerable studying on the topic, but would be helpful for those graduating from college especially before they find themselves lacking "margin" in life.

[Jola Van Dijk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with what he's saying. But unfortunately he has covered it all with a very thick layer of his own religion. It's a doctor telling us how to live our lifes because this is the way God wants us to live our lives. That made it very edifying and devotional and that's not my cup of tea. So, wouldn't recommend it.

[Tuesdayschild]

Abandoned 09/01/ 2022.
I’m tidying up my books to read/continue reading lists and have decided I don’t want to continue with this one: I paused continuing with it last year as it was more focused on ‘why’ but a little short on practical ‘how to’.

[Chad Lillestolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really unique perspective on having margin in our lives, progress, business, rest and more. I liked the intersection of a medical opinion with a Christian ideology. Tangible, simple, but thoughtful.

[Lauren Acosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good things to think about

[Lauren Wicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read this year. Our physical health has everything to do with our emotional, relational, spiritual, and other spheres. When we cultivate healthy habits in those areas, our physical health will be the fruit of our lifestyles! So thought provoking.

[Candy Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read on forming balance in your life. It is deeply Christian, which I knew and love. I also love how he shows simplicity isn’t always convenience or comfort. My only complaint is being a doctor, he has options not open to others. I wish he gave some more examples/ conversation on that.

[Uncommon Student · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margin, a book on having time. Ironically I have never had time to read this book. But I finally worked through it and it was worth every minute. We lead margin-less lives of hurry, deadlines, exhaustion, little sleep, spiritual dryness, working late and last minute decisions. We chalk it all up to the "price of progress" and live for weekends at the lake. Even then our cellphones chirp and ring with texts and calls. We crave rest but never stop, not until we drop from exhaustion.

As author Richard Swenson says, "margin is the space between us and our limits." Margin is our reserve, to be conserved for the last stretch of a marathon or used sparingly in the last five minutes of a test. Having margin in our emotions, physical wellbeing, time, and finances leads to a happy, healthy life. Not a perfect life, not a sinless life. But a life that has time and energy to love the Lord, serve the church, and spend time with your family.

Margin was at the very least a convicting read. I don't rest, not like I should. We bounce back and forth between the two extremes: not resting because we fear being idle or justifying laziness by claiming to be resting. True Godly rest, being still to know He is God, restores and refreshes. And I don't make time to rest.

One of the most enjoyable parts of this book was the Christian worldview. It all tied back to loving and serving God, how to best glorify him with our time and resources. Not resting to get out of work, but resting because He made us to need rest. Not managing our work time to give us more "me time", but guarding our work schedule so we can spend time with our family He gave us.

[Jim Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good timeless advice

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important reminders to find simplicity and balance to do God’s work.

[Abby Burrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread Review

Yipes, it took me over a year to reread this? Whoops. In truth, I wasn't so much rereading as just enjoying this book again every once in awhile. And now that I've finished it a second time, I feel that I could reread it again.

Why? Because this book holds so much wisdom for our age. It was first published in the 1990's and yet, it is even more relevant now than it was back then, especially with the advent of the smartphone.

Hurry ravages the soul, and yet we are constantly in a hurry in our society. Everyone has too much to do and not enough time to do it. We're constantly tired, haggard, worn. Relationships don't matter to us anymore.

This is a way to fight that. A way to say no to the hurry. A way to make time for people and for God. A way to stay aware of what really matters most.

I don't know how to fully explain how important this book is to me. It has so much wisdom-! And while some of the things it says about our society are discouraging, the book itself is not. Margin is such a simple concept, yet it's one we need so much of in our society... It gives us time to think, move, breathe, it makes us keep in focus what matters most.

If you're tired of feeling harried and hurried, if you're just feeling overloaded and overwhelmed from all that's happening, then this is a book you need to read. It is simple and powerful and unique. It's not about how to pack more into your day or create the most awesome schedule ever. It's about letting what really matters, matter.



First Review

Phew, it took me AWHILE to finish this book. But it wasn't because I didn't like it, but because it's a book that is owned. Therefore, books that are not owned, aka library books, have to take priority.

This book names so many things that I've known in the back of my head but haven't thought about before. I hate change, have many qualms with 'progress', and moving fast / in a hurry does not agree with me, I hate it as well. I could not be labeled as a Type A. And this book has pointed that out to me.
This probably will be one of these books that I will reference for the rest of my life. Because it has given me tools to combat this fast paced, rushed, and OVERLOADED life that society keeps pressing at us.
Side note, this is a very Christian book. This is aimed at Christians, and quite frankly, many of its principles really only work in the Christian worldview. I still think if you're a non-Christian, you'll get a lot of it, but not as much as if you were a Christian.
Overall, a great book to read that will be useful to me!