I wish I could be cloned. If there were two or even three of me, I could finish everything I needed to do.
I’ve said this. Have you?
If you are feeling overwhelmed with too much on your plate, the common thinking is that you have a TIME problem.
On one hand, that makes sense. If you had an extra few hours to work, you’d get more done. But this is a short-term solution.
When you think you have a time problem, you’re constantly finding, borrowing, or stealing more time.
You-
Work extra hard on a big project, convincing yourself this is just a busier time than usual and you just need to grind it out. Meanwhile, a few days or weeks later, you’re back in the same boat.
Sacrifice sleep by getting up extra early or working after the kids are in bed.
Convince yourself that if you’re checking email while watching TV, you’re not really working.
Multitask by taking client and team calls in the car on your way to dropping the kids off at practice or folding clothes while off camera on a conference call.
Finding more time doesn’t reduce your overwhelm in the long term.
A part of you knows you’re working at an unsustainable pace. But there may be a good chance you don’t know how to slow down and work differently.
What you have is an EXPECTATION problem. The good news is you can’t change time, but you can change expectations.
I empathize. I’ve been there. And I want to offer you some firm but friendly reminders that will help you slow down enough so you can step off the gerbil wheel.
Reflect on the expectations you have for yourself. Do you need to be the one who does it all and does it all perfectly? If so, there isn’t enough time that will help you meet the expectations of perfection.
Are you sacrificing your wellness and sanity? If so, there will come a time when you’ll have nothing left to give.
Your work, family and life aren’t healthy unless you’re healthy.
What are you saying yes to? For every yes, you’re saying no to something else.
Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
Your value doesn’t come from what you produce.
We can never get time back. Be intentional and diligent about how you want to use the time you have.
Would you like coaching support stepping off this gerbil wheel? Book a coffee chat with me and we will explore if we are a good fit.