Maybe You Don’t Have To Do It All
“Perfectionism doesn't have much to do with sanctity” (Father Jacques Phillipe).
Can you feel yourself careening toward burnout this fall? Experiencing some big life changes or growing job duties? Feel like you’re just stretched thin?
Maybe you don’t have to do it all.
There, I said it.
Maybe you don’t! Really. Maybe all you need is a small step back to look at things from a different perspective. What is truly essential? What can be delegated … or just let go?
There are a few ways to go about this process. A good first step is to take an expansive look at your life. Look at your planner, or reflect on your days. Note what brings you peace and closer to God and your purpose—and what is just extra.
Here are some questions to help you center your focus:
Does your business or family have a mission statement or motto you can reflect on?
Do you have a role model? How did they live their life and why?
Meditate on the phrase “Memento Mori,” meaning, “Remember that you will die.” Is what you’re doing now helping yourself and others get to Heaven? How do you want to be remembered?
Now that you’ve looked at the big picture, you can zoom in on the details.
Try Tracking Your Time
At work, you could use something like Clockify, a free time tracking app. It might not be convenient at first, but by diligently tracking your time for a few weeks as you switch tasks, you’ll have a clear picture of where your time is truly going.
Invest in Support
Once you see your time laid out, you should be able to see any places where it might not be connected to your purpose, your job description, or what is truly essential to you. With your time tracked, you may be able to better advocate for an intern or contractor support. Your time could also illustrate the need for a promotion or bonus. Or, it might show that you need to let go of some tasks.
Maybe technology could save you some time. There are so many software services out there that fit big and even niche problems. Are you wasting time looking for resources that are unorganized and all over the place? Maybe you need a digital asset management program. Writing hundreds of post-it notes? Try project management software. Can you automate any tasks? Do you receive a frequent message you could have an automatic reply to?
Check out the Catholic Women in Business Facebook group to find the help you need, whether she’s an intern, a virtual assistant, a contractor, or another employee.
Create a System
I love creating systems and standard procedures. It’s so helpful to have a standard way of doing things and something to go back to or to help you train others. Once you have a system in place, it’s much easier to improve and optimize a task.
Is it a “He** Yes”?
It may feel like it’s overemphasized in writing for women, but setting boundaries is essential to keeping your peace, preventing burnout, and maintaining good relationships. It’s not selfish; it’s about saying yes to what really matters.
One great thing about saying no to someone is that it may open a “yes” for someone else—which may be just the opportunity they were looking for.
As Kathryn Whitaker shares in her book, “Live Big, Love Bigger: Getting Real with BBQ, Sweet Tea, and a Whole Lotta Jesus”, if it’s not a “he** yes,” it should be a “no.”
Sign off
This strategy may not work for every job, but creating a positive work culture depends on individuals just as much as the organization. Try blocking off time on your calendar for a lunch break and not answering any emails after 5. When you’re on vacation, try deleting all of your work apps from your phone (it helps if you can prepare people by letting them know beforehand that you’re taking a complete break).
Give It to God
On a similar note, have you tried giving it all to God for him to carry, when you sign off or go to bed? Have you tried asking for the strength, the daily bread, to get through this day, one day at a time? Reflect on this question: How can you rely on God? What can you give to him and entrust to his care?
One of the most helpful Lenten practices for me has been writing and praying the Litany of Trust every day for 40 days. It’s still my favorite litany and the prayer I turn to when I begin to feel frayed.
Another form of prayer I’m trying is placing my needs under a statue of a sleeping St. Joseph. As you sleep, you can rest assured that St. Joseph’s got it. Even Pope Francis uses this devotion to help take care of our Church when he rests, so I know my needs are in good hands!
Savanna Polasek is a nonprofit communications specialist, freelance writer, and creator of Memoir Ink. She is a Catholic convert and lives with her charming husband in Austin, Texas. In her free time she enjoys exploring Texas, listening to Catholic podcasts, reading, and writing fiction. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.