The pressure made me emotional — and I often cried. I worked 8am to 8pm but still felt overwhelmed, stressed and anxious.
Every day was busy. And there was always something to do.
Worse, it was impacting my happiness and health. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically.
Do you ever feel the same about work?
If so, I thought you’d appreciate the 3 mindset shifts and habits I implemented to regain control:
1. Stop “Just Getting On With It”
There’ll always be something to do. Always.
You’ll never feel “caught up”. That day won’t come when you feel less busy. And you won’t magically find more time for yourself. UNLESS you change your mindset and habits.
A quick way to start changing? Pause before you start any task and ask yourself if it really needs to be done today — or at all. It might feel urgent and important (keyword being “feel”), but is it really?
What’s the worst that could happen if you left it until tomorrow? If you don’t do it at all?
At first, you’ll feel guilty, not doing everything you think you should. So start small. Choose just ONE task a day next week — ask these question — and see what happens.
2. Get Organised & Set Boundaries
Take 7 minutes today to plan tomorrow — and push yourself to prioritise.
What’s the most important 1 to 3 things you must get done tomorrow? What task will help you, your colleagues, and your employer achieve strategic goals?
Write those tasks at the top of your notebook (yes, I like to plan my day on paper too!) — and don’t add anything else. It’ll reduce overwhelm and clear your head so you know where to start each day.
Then, give yourself time to work on your priorities by postponing meetings until 10am. And stay off your emails too — trust me, this will change your life!
Again, start small. Practice by saying no to ONE meeting a week that’s scheduled before 10am. Or, staying off your emails until just 9am at first.
3. Make Time For Yourself
Get up earlier or start work 30 minutes later (because I bet you start earlier than you have to…). And give yourself time to do 1 or 2 things for your happiness and health.
Gratitude journal. Meditate. Have a healthy breakfast. Go on a run or walk.
You know… when we first got our pup, Baylee, I chose going into work early over walking her. Looking back, my priorities were so off…
I love work, it’s a big, important part of life. But it shouldn’t affect your happiness, health, personal passions or relationships.
Of course, because you’re driven, ambitious and hard-working, you’ll sometimes want and need to work longer hours. But exhausting, joyless 40+ hour weeks shouldn’t be your norm month after month.
Looking for more simple ways to stop your overwhelm and get unstuck? Download your FREE guide below.
If you’re not being the person you want to be right now, remember YOU can change.
Take small steps each week to create new routines and boundaries, and you’ll regain control. And know you can have a successful career AND a happy, healthy life.
Do you ever feel like I did? If so, how have you tried to improve your work-life balance? What’s worked for you and what hasn’t? Email me at becky@beckyholliday.com — and let me know because I’m always looking for ways to improve.
Thanks for reading and speak again soon,
Becky x