Managing “The Juggling Act”
All. The. Things.
Here’s some all-too-common outtakes from my clients:
“I can’t take on one more thing.”
“Something will have to give.”
“If I say yes to this, I must say no to something else—but what?”
The Juggling Act
This month (back to school and all) let’s pause and take a critical look at the “Juggling Act.”
You can all relate to the juggling.
Your career. Family time. Volunteer obligations. Personal growth. Financial health. Self-care.
Every day can feel relentless. Keeping the balls in the air. 🤹🏻♂️
All. The. Things.
And here’s the rub. We often focus only on the juggling.
But, in the leaders I serve as a coach, what I see as the real cause of burnout and dysregulation isn’t usually the juggling.
Nope. It’s the “Act” part. That’s what causes the real damage.
You’ve So Got This! (To the point of agony…)
You’re not simply juggling too much.
You must keep those flaming hoops aloft and appear calm and in total control. This, even though you know better.
Yep, you know full well that you don’t have to look flawlessly effortless, and effortlessly flawless. (You’ve read your Brené.)
You know that owning your imperfection and allowing in some vulnerability will be seen as strength and draw others to you. You’ll seem more human, approachable, “real”!
Except revealing flaws is hard.
Especially if you’ve spent your entire life training under different rules.
For many of my clients, it’s actually easier to juggle swords with a casual smile, than it is to say “I’m not doing well. There’s too much on my plate. Can someone please help me?”
The good news is that there’s lots you can do to create a middle ground here.
Middle Ground
While stopping the juggling is unrealistic for many of us—we can do things to lessen the volume, sequence the order into a more manageable flow, accept help, delegate, and take time away to rejuvenate.
Also, most find it hard to quit the “Act” cold.
Our time in the workforce has taught us (forced us?) to seem perfect, ready, always able, and willing.
But when we open ourselves to it, there are places and moments when we can “let others in.”
Giving those around you a “behind the scenes” look at how much you are contending with does allow for greater context, understanding, and empathy.
So, if you struggle with “dropping the act,” start small.
Begin with those closest to you at work. Let them in for short bursts. Allow them to see more of what you’re up against. Over time they will come to better appreciate your world—and many will offer to help you manage it.
Managing Your Juggling Act
Here's five ways to help keep you regulated and productive, despite the juggling act:
1. Prioritize Your Priorities, Not Other People’s
It's easy to get caught up in trying to do everything at once. Evaluate what matters most to you and why. Put your top priorities first, and set boundaries with those around you—especially those who poach your time.
2. Delegate and Collaborate
If you have a team you can rely on, do that. It will make them feel useful and allow you to work on those tasks that only you can do—and free up your time for strategic thinking.
3. Practice Self-Compassion
What’s with those incredibly high standards? What if you lowered the bar a notch? What’s the worst that could happen? What might be a benefit? Be kind to yourself. Self-compassion allows you to rebound from setbacks and stay centred.
4. Embrace Self-Care
Prioritizing self-care is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Just because you did it last month, doesn’t mean it’s crossed off your to do list forever. Regularly schedule time for activities that rejuvenate you, whether it's a class, time in nature, exercise, or simply hanging out with friends or loved ones.
5. Celebrate Small Wins
You did that. I see you, Jonathan. Well done. Acknowledge and celebrate your own accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Not every success must be humbly transferred over to the team for a shared win. You get to have a few wins too. Recognizing your own wins boosts motivation and energy levels.
I hope those help.
Of course, we are all different—and what one of us needs, might not resonate for another.
But, if thousands of hours of listening to leaders has taught me anything, it’s that you all have more in common that you think. You’re all some pretty fierce jugglers and really fine actors.
