Sometimes people end up feeling stuck in their careers, because they worry that moving up will require too much time and sacrifice. They see that people above them in the organization are stressed out and working crazy long hours. As much as they want to get ahead, they don’t want to live that way. The truth is, you don’t have to. It is possible to be in a leadership position and still have a good work-life balance. The problem is that most people simply don’t know how.
Are you worried that getting a promotion would mean too much responsibility and stress?
I’ve had too many conversations with good people who feel torn about moving up in their careers. They’re smart and thoughtful, the kind of people who deserve to be promoted. The kind of people who are – or could be – great managers, with the right tools. But they’re afraid. They worry that moving up will require too much sacrifice, too many long hours. Sure, the recognition and respect – and extra pay – would be nice. But at what cost?
The reality is that overworking and stress can happen to anyone at any level. Heck, I went through a period of regularly staying up past 2 am for a volunteer project. It had nothing to do with my level in the organization or wanting to get ahead. It had everything to do with wanting to please, and not knowing how to set boundaries or prioritize.
The problem is, most people don’t know how to do that. That’s why so many people are either burned out, or stalled out – holding themselves back so they won’t get overwhelmed.
To create a great work-life balance, where you’re contributing and making a difference at work AND enjoying time outside of work, it takes 3 things:
- Purpose – knowing your goals, what your job is all about, what you’re meant to accomplish
- Priorities – letting your day-to-day activities be guided by your purpose, and choosing where to put your efforts, based on that
- Presence – saying “no” and holding the line against additional requests and demands that distract you from your goals, and communicating that “no” without coming across as a naysayer, or someone who’s unwilling to go the extra mile.
One of the biggest challenges all managers face – at all levels – is how to make the most of the limited resources available to them. Any organization with smart, talented people will have many more ideas than it has resources to implement them. Making strategic, thoughtful decisions to prioritize among them is one of the most important skills you can build. That includes managing your time – as one of the most precious resources under your control. Once you know how to do that, you can move up without fear.
If you’ve been holding yourself back, let’s talk. We’ll look at what’s going on for you, and what you can do to move past your fears. Click here to schedule a call with me now.
