We’ve all been there. The calendar’s packed, deadlines are looming, and suddenly, you realize you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. As high-achieving women, our strong work ethic often pushes us to say “yes” to every opportunity. But what happens when our commitments start to overwhelm us?
Today, I want to share a personal story about the importance of knowing when to step back and how to do it gracefully. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way, but one that’s been crucial in maintaining my integrity and work ethic in business.
When a Strong Work Ethic Meets Overcommitment
Picture this: A room full of 60 women, all eagerly awaiting my presentation. I was standing at the podium, flustered and ill-prepared. My materials? A jumbled mess. My thoughts? Even more so.
In that moment, faced with an audience expecting wisdom and guidance, I did something I never thought I’d do. I admitted defeat. “I can’t do this,” I said, my voice shaking. “I don’t even know why I’m here.”
It was my rock bottom, a public meltdown that I detail in my book, “Take the Lead.” But it was also a turning point in understanding that a strong work ethic isn’t about saying yes to everything – it’s about honoring your commitments by knowing your limits. And that situation was an instance where I should have said “no.”
The Integrity Dilemma: When to Bow Out
Fast forward to earlier this year. I had committed to a speaking engagement, excited about the opportunity to share my insights with a new organization. But as the date approached, life threw me a curveball. Suddenly, I found myself with far more on my plate than I had anticipated.
The old me would have pushed through, determined to keep the commitment at any cost. But the wiser, more experienced me recognized a crucial truth: showing up at anything less than my best would be a disservice to both the organization and my own work ethic. I did not want a repeat of that room full of 60 women eagerly awaiting my presentation!
So, I made the difficult decision to bow out. Here’s how I approached it:
- I acknowledged the commitment and expressed genuine regret.
- I explained honestly (without oversharing) that circumstances had changed.
- I emphasized my commitment to delivering high-quality work, which I couldn’t guarantee at this time.
- I left the door open for future opportunities.
Was it comfortable? Absolutely not. Did it align with my values and work ethic? 100%.
The Surprising Outcome of Honesty
Here’s where it gets interesting. The organizer’s response wasn’t just understanding – it was appreciative. She respected the integrity it took to have that difficult conversation. In fact, she reached out again recently, more eager than ever to work with me because of how I handled the situation.
This experience reinforced a crucial lesson: a strong work ethic isn’t about running yourself into the ground. It’s about consistently delivering your best work, which sometimes means knowing when to step back.
Strategies for Gracefully Managing Commitments
So, how can you maintain a strong work ethic while avoiding overcommitment? Here are some strategies I’ve found helpful:
- Regularly assess your bandwidth: Take stock of your current commitments and energy levels. Be honest with yourself about what you can realistically handle.
- Communicate early and often: If you foresee challenges in meeting a commitment, don’t wait until the last minute. Early communication shows respect for others’ time and planning.
- Be honest but professional: Explain your situation without oversharing or making excuses. Focus on your commitment to quality work.
- Offer alternatives if possible: Can you recommend someone else? Propose a different timeline? Show that you’re still invested in their success.
- Learn from each experience: Use every commitment, kept or not, as a learning opportunity to better understand your capacity and improve your planning.
Remember, your work ethic is reflected not just in what you do but in how you do it. Sometimes, the most professional thing you can do is admit when you can’t deliver your best work.
Your Work Ethic Challenge
This week, I challenge you to take a hard look at your commitments. Ask yourself:
- Which commitments align with my core values and goals?
- Where am I overextended?
- How can I communicate proactively about any necessary changes?
Remember, it’s better to underpromise and overdeliver than the other way around. Integrity and the quality of your work are the true measures of a strong work ethic.
Have you ever had to bow out of a commitment? How did you handle it? Share your experiences in the Leading Ladies Facebook group. Let’s learn from each other and grow stronger together.
Your work ethic is a powerful asset – use it wisely, and it will serve you well in building a business and life you love.
Join the Leading Lady Community
For more insights and strategies on cultivating a strong work ethic while maintaining balance, I invite you to join my community:
- Tune into the Leading Lady Podcast.
- Connect with me on Instagram.
- Join the conversation in the Leading Ladies Facebook Group.
219: The Gift of Feedback with Julie Campbell