There’s no point in over working.
This past week was like any other week, crazy. Not crazy as I didn’t understand it, but as in crazy busy! In weeks like these, I could quickly become overwhelmed. However, I prepared the week prior because I knew it was coming. My boss was on vacation, which means I was “the man” this week. In the past, I would have let this go to my head and become stressed out because of the week’s demands. This time was different!
I didn’t let things bog me down and make me feel like I wasn’t doing enough. Instead, I focused my energy on what I was doing and not on what I could have done. I will not lie. I had several moments where I wanted to overthink what I was doing and what I could have done. But I told myself, “Don’t do it! Don’t allow yourself to second guess all the work you’ve done. Don’t get caught up in the doing that you forget everything you’ve already done!” It was honestly one of the most challenging things I’ve had to say to myself. At times I can become too critical and try to undermine myself because I didn’t complete one more task.
In the previous year, I have learned a lot about myself, including what I can and can’t do. The “can’t” has been the most challenging part because It reminds me of my mortality. I am only a finite being who has limits, and I should listen to them.
Remember how I said my boss was on vacation earlier? Well, he is a different kind of being. He does A LOT! When we work together, I am sometimes amazed by how much he’s gotten so much done by 10 am. But so have I! I have to remember, don’t compare yourself. It can be easy to do so when you look at others’ productivity, but we have to remember we all have limitations. I am not saying stop working hard because you want to limit yourself. Instead, I am saying know yourself well enough to see what you can and can’t do.
I finished the week feeling very accomplished but not worn out to the point of exhaustion. I think the workaholic culture is glorified when in fact, it shouldn’t be. Working yourself to the bone may seem nice on the surface, but deep down underneath, it is unhealthy. I am not an expert, but I do know this, do what you can to the best of your ability, not someone else’s. Don’t fall prey to the workaholic lifestyle. Be advised that your dreams will cause you to have sleepless nights, but they should not become your norm. At some point, you should have the ability to walk away and call it a day.
Uncommon Legend 
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