5 Red Flags You're Drowning in To-Dos: A Changemaker's Guide to Reclaiming Time
Before we dive in, grab your free Impact Multiplier Guide here. It's your lifeline to reclaiming your time and amplifying your impact. You'll thank me later!
Now, let's talk about that never-ending to-do list of yours. You know, the one that's longer than the queue for a flat white on a Monday morning? Yeah, that one. As someone who's been in the trenches of the for-purpose sector for years, I've seen (and experienced) it all. So, let's dive into the five telltale signs that you might be drowning in to-dos, and how to come up for air.
Before we dive into the deep end of to-do lists and time management, let's start with a quick self-assessment. The full quiz in the Impact Multiplier Guide will give you a comprehensive picture of where you stand, but for now, let's dip our toes in with a mini-version.
Ready? Take a moment to answer these questions honestly:
Do you regularly work evenings and weekends?
Is "firefighting" your default mode of operation?
Has strategic planning become a mythical creature you once heard about?
Are you turning down exciting opportunities due to lack of capacity?
Does every decision, big or small, wait for your input?
If you answered "yes" to three or more, keep reading. If you answered "yes" to all five, pour yourself a strong coffee (or tea) and let's get to work! And if you're curious about where you truly stand in your leadership journey, I highly recommend downloading the full Impact Multiplier Guide. It includes a longer quiz that will give you a clearer picture of your current situation and tailored strategies to help you move forward.
Now, let's dive deeper into each of these signs and explore how you can transform from feeling overwhelmed to becoming a strategic, impactful leader.
Sign #1: You're Constantly Working Evenings and Weekends
Remember weekends? Those magical two days when you used to relax, spend time with whānau, or binge-watch your favourite show? If your laptop has become a permanent fixture on your couch, it's time to reassess. Burnout is real, my friend, and it's not a badge of honour.
Sign #2: You're Always in 'Firefighting' Mode
If your day feels like a game of whack-a-mole with urgent tasks popping up faster than you can say "impact," you're in firefighting mode. While it might feel productive, constantly reacting leaves no room for proactive, impactful work.
Sign #3: Strategic Planning is Consistently Pushed Aside
"I'll get to it when things calm down," or “I’ll put aside a full day for it soon” said every overwhelmed leader EVER. Spoiler alert: things don't calm down unless you make them. Strategic planning isn't a luxury; it's the compass that guides your organisation's impact.
Sign #4: You're Turning Down Opportunities Due to Lack of Capacity
Saying no to potentially game-changing opportunities because you're stretched too thin? That's like turning down a 6-figure fundraising opportunity because you're too busy running a sausage sizzle. It's time to rethink your priorities.
Sign #5: All Decisions Wait for Your Input
If you're the bottleneck in every decision-making process, from major strategic moves to what biscuits to stock in the kitchen, Houston, we have a problem. Empowering your team isn't just good leadership; it's essential for your sanity.
The Solution: Reclaiming Your Time and Amplifying Your Impact
Now, I could tell you to just "delegate more" or "prioritise better," but we both know it's not that simple. That's why I created the Impact Multiplier Guide. In just 7 pages I have packed it with practical strategies to help you:
Better assessing where you are in your leadership journey
Shifting you from doing everything to leading strategically
Helping you triage your to-do list like an impact making pro (goodbye, busywork!)
Build and empower your dream team (even if it's just you... for now)
Remember, your mission is too important to be bogged down by an endless to-do list.
It's time to multiply your impact, NOT your working hours.
Ready to transform from Chief Everything Officer to Visionary Leader? Download your free Impact Multiplier Guide now. Let's turn that overwhelm into overflow—of time, energy, and impact!
Your mission is waiting, and it's too important to drown in to-dos!
