Where is the Time?
Read Time: 2 minutes.
But where is the time? Is 24 hours too little or too much time in a day? It’s common to sometimes take more on that you can carry, however when this becomes a habit, it becomes a problem. Overextending yourself is one of the easiest and fastest ways to lose motivation, perform at a low quality, and fall into a rut or burnout.
What Does it Mean to Overextend Yourself?
Busy can be good, the most successful people in life are busy. However sometimes this can result in overextending ourselves. The Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “overextend” as “to extend or expand beyond a safe and reasonable point.” Simply put, overextending yourself means you’ve pushed yourself past the breaking point and your obligations are beginning to take a toll on your emotional state.
Signs you are Overextending Yourself
1. Simple Tasks are Difficult: When things you used to be able to easily complete, take way more energy, that’s a sign you may be overextended.
2. You Don’t Find Enjoyment Anymore: It’s normal for excitement to fizzle out, however if things you have typically enjoyed no longer have their spark, that can be a concern.
3. Your Mental Health is Declining: When you’re overextended, it can make it harder to regulate your emotional state. If you have been feeling more depressed or anxious, it’s probably a sign you should reassess your obligations.
How do I stop?
1. Stop Focusing on the Quantity you Work and Start Focusing on the Quality of your Work: In a typical work session, do you tend to get distracted? Do you drift to different places? Do you stall? How much time are you really spending in a state of deep focus? You may even be reading this and have been interrupted. Overextending yourself makes it harder to have deep focus on one thing and produce your best work. Start fully focusing on one thing at a time instead of many tasks.
Here are some ways to develop this skill:
-Commit to a specific task
-Create a distraction free environment
-Perform uninterrupted work for 15 minutes (later scale it to 30 minutes, 45 minutes and eventually 1-2 hours)
2. Know your Limits and Stick to them: One of the ways to prevent overextending yourself is knowing your limits. What do you know you can realistically handle? Before saying “yes” to a task think of the other obligations you have. Can you realistically complete it? Is the payoff worth it? Is your mental health going to take a decline? Do you even have the time? Ask yourself these questions and take some time to ponder them.
3. Schedule Time for Yourself and Have a Wind-down Routine: Remember to account for time in your schedule for you. Also creating a winddown routine can help your brain process it is time for you to shut off “work mode”. We all have times in our lives when we are busy and must put certain things on hold. However, try to still prioritize yourself and your wellness.
Summary
The number of tasks and obligations you can manage look different for everyone. Remember, life is best lived at your own pace. If you’d like to free up your time to concentrate on growing your small business, ask us how we can assist you with services that can give you a fresh perspective—and keep you focused firmly on the future.
