This week one of my clients was being hard on herself for falling short on her long list of ‘To Do Items.’ Just as I was telling her ‘It’s okay you that didn’t get it all done today’ I recognised myself in her. In the craziness of life and business we try to cram so much in to short time slots sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
Other times we are on a roll, we get lots done and it feels great to cross items off our to-do lists that we push ourselves until the point of exhaustion. But where does that really get you in the end? Exhausted with less quality in the output, less enjoyment and sometimes we take it out on friends and family.
It is easy to get discouraged when we don’t get it all done and then we wonder, “What is wrong with me”? If you find yourself in this situation, evaluate your day. Ask yourself some questions like: What did get done? Where did I waste time? What got done that could have waited? What will you differently tomorrow?
If this situation happens often, it’s ok to ask for help. Keep in mind that this situation doesn’t just apply only to business; it applies to your home life too. If you could have some help around your home for a few hours each month, what could you do to with the extra time? Or possibly even better, could you rest, take a break and come back rested and ready to tackle your next goal.
Asking for help is not a bad thing. It does mean that you have carefully evaluated where you are at, what you want to accomplish and that you are putting together a plan of action on how to get it done. Finding the right help can be a challenge, the cost may put you off, and knowing where to even start looking can leave us scratching our heads. Ask for suggestions from friends, family, and your network of contacts. You could possibly hire a virtual assistant for a few hours a month or a housekeeper to come in once or twice a month.
It’s time to stop for us living in the fantasy world of “I can to everything and be all things to all people” we have created so many of unrealistic expectations not only for ourselves for others in our lives too. For how long and hard you worked has become a badge of honour. It’s time to give others, and ourselves, some grace and realise we don’t have to do it all.
* The author is a consultant and coach. Instagram handle: @miss_shefa, Website: missshefa.com
Shefa Ali
