To meet high expectations without burning out, consider the following strategies:
Set realistic goals: Break down your high expectations into smaller, achievable goals. This will help you maintain focus and motivation while preventing overwhelm.
Prioritize tasks: Identify the most important tasks and focus on completing them first. This will ensure that you’re making progress towards meeting high expectations without getting bogged down in less important tasks.
Establish boundaries: Set limits on work your hours and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues and manager to ensure they understand and respect them.
Manage your energy: Pay attention to your mental, physical, and emotional energy levels. Engage in activities that energize you and avoid those that drain you. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep.
Delegate and collaborate: Share responsibilities with your team members and ask for help when needed. This will lighten your workload and prevent burnout.
Focus on gold star vs. good enough: Determine which tasks require your best efforts (gold star) and which can be completed with solid work that meets the requirements without going above and beyond (good enough). This will help you allocate your time and energy more effectively.
Regularly review and adjust: Periodically assess your progress towards meeting high expectations and adjust your goals, priorities, and strategies as needed. This will help you stay on track and avoid burnout.
Practice self-compassion: Recognize that you are human and may not always meet high expectations. Be kind to yourself when you fall short and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Seek support: Share your challenges with trusted colleagues, friends, or family members who can offer encouragement, advice, or a listening ear.
Celebrate achievements: Acknowledge your accomplishments, both big and small, along the way. This will help maintain motivation and remind you of the progress you’re making towards meeting high expectations.