There's always more to do- how to create priority + drop the #bossguilt.

As the owner of a complex, fast-growing, multi-faceted startup I get to wear so many hats. And let me tell you my head spins from the constant hat-changing.

So much so, in fact, that I began to hand those hats off to some pretty great employees.

But no matter what, there is always more to do– because I’ve created so much to do AND because there is more to do than what is humanly possible by my small team.

I used to experience serious #BossGuilt (and to be honest I still do sometimes) which I think began as a necessity (my startup grew faster than I could keep up), lack of boundaries (I worked to keep everyone happy with me) and buffering (I really got addicted to being busy).

So, in recent years as I’ve wrapped my brain around my business and have gotten better at various aspects I also began to realize that I could shape my time, schedule and workload in different ways.

But I still found myself overwhelmed at how I’d tackle it all. I’d sit down to work on one thing and would immediately shift between the 100 things I either was responsible for or that I wanted to get done at some point in my life.

It was so inefficient and I knew I needed to change some things.

First, I created a daily system to review the important stuff and set priorities.

Then I devised a schedule that I could stick to.

I also decided to get rid of stuff that wasn’t connected to my highest goals.

And last, I dropped the guilt I’d feel at not getting everything done.

Because there will always be more do to. There will always be people disappointed in me- or disappointed in my lack of delivery of an email, a phone call, a project or something else- because I’m involved with a lot of people and projects.

My daily brain dump

• helps me establish daily priorities that ground me to what’s most important

• see my responsibilities from 10,000 feet instead of thinking of them nonstop

• reduces my anxiety because I AM aware of what’s important

• allows me to plan my schedule properly

• helps me decide what to get off my plate + onto the plates of employees or consultants

• is crucial in my self-coaching practice

• lists every project in my business / life that I’m responsible for, along with notes + related tasks for each

• is the basis for my to-do lists

• is something I do every day (and it only takes about 30 minutes for me to go through it)

My schedule

• shifts slightly when necessary (it bends, it doesn’t break)

• gives me a plan when I need it

• helps me realistically assess what I can and can’t get done

• is something that I am required to stick with (which is good practice because I struggle with focus)

• is my friend, not an enemy

The most important stuff

• Is connected to the version of myself that I want to be in the future

• Is stuff that makes my life / business better AND that I enjoy doing

• Gets done first

Boss Guilt

• Is unhelpful

• Is unnecessary, especially when you like yourself and want yourself to have a balanced life

• Is to be expected, but will be something you can practice getting out of