Have you ever felt like you’re giving everything you’ve got… and still falling short?
I’ve been there. As a single mom and busy writer, I’ve had plenty of late nights in front of my laptop, fueled by too many cups of tea and a desperation to “make it all work.”
Over time, though, I realized that pushing myself to the edge wasn’t just draining—it was counterproductive. I’d get short bursts of success, sure, but they were always followed by an overwhelming feeling of burnout.
I knew I needed to break the cycle.
And guess what? I managed to do exactly that by making five specific shifts in my daily life. Each one brought me closer to a place where success felt sustainable, not suffocating.
Today, I share these habits hoping they’ll help you too.
Let’s dive in.
1. Prioritizing tasks based on true impact
Early in my career, I used to say “yes” to every request: extra projects, last-minute demands, friend favors—the whole lot. Before I knew it, I’d find myself drowning in obligations.
That was until I came across a powerful insight from Stephen Covey: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
It sounds dramatic, but that one line changed my approach to work (and life).
It got me in the habit of listing out every task on my plate, then asking myself which ones truly moved the needle. Which activities were essential to my career growth? Which ones genuinely mattered in my personal life? And which ones could be trimmed away or delegated?
By homing in on what truly mattered, I found I could focus my limited time and energy on things that directly drove success. The results were almost immediate: fewer late nights, less stress, and noticeably higher-quality output.
You can’t do everything—so why not do what really counts? Give it a shot.
2. Embracing “done is better than perfect”
Like a lot of people, I used to fall into the perfectionism trap.
In my case, I’d spend countless hours tweaking minor details, rewriting paragraphs, and endlessly polishing presentations.
Then in a moment of desperation, I came across a study that stopped me in my tracks. It read:
“In summary, higher levels of self-oriented perfectionism are correlated with higher levels of both burnout and secondary traumatic stress.”
That hit home. It explained so much of what I was feeling—exhaustion, dissatisfaction, even when the end product was technically “perfect.”
So, I started to let go—just a little at first. I gave myself permission to hit “send” on the email without rereading it five times. I stopped obsessing over whether every blog post was the best thing I’d ever written. I reminded myself that good work delivered on time was better than flawless work that never saw the light of day.
The surprising part? My work didn’t become sloppy; it became more focused.
Letting go of the need to be flawless has freed up mental space and, more importantly, allowed me to enjoy my accomplishments without obsessing over what I could have done differently. It might just do the same for you.
3. Scheduling self-care
Did you know that a lack of self-care is associated with low energy, reduced performance at work, and that all-too-familiar feeling of burnout?
I did. I’d known that for years. I’d read the articles, nodded along to the podcasts, and bookmarked self-care checklists. But actually making time for it? That was always the issue.
The turning point came when I stopped treating self-care like a reward and started treating it like a requirement. Just like a deadline or a client call, I began putting it on my calendar—literally. A walk outside, 15 minutes with a book, a quiet moment for tea (not multitasking with my phone in hand)—if it didn’t get scheduled, it didn’t happen.
The shift was subtle at first, but over time, it changed everything. My energy levels came back. My focus sharpened. I felt more resilient, even on the tough days.
Self-care isn’t indulgent. It’s not optional. It’s the maintenance your mind and body need to keep functioning—and thriving. So if you’ve been putting it off, maybe this is your sign to stop waiting for the “right time” and start treating it like the priority it really is.
4. Choosing single-tasking over multitasking
For years, I wore my multitasking skills like a badge of honor.
Writing an article while replying to emails? Sure. Scheduling social posts during dinner? Guilty. It felt like I was being efficient—like I was getting more done.
But the truth? I wasn’t.
Some experts say that multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40%. And once I really paid attention to how I was working, I could feel it. I was constantly switching gears, starting things and not finishing them, and ending my days with that nagging feeling of, “Why am I so exhausted when I didn’t even finish my to-do list?”
So, I made the shift to single-tasking. One focus at a time. I started blocking my time into deep work sessions where my phone was on silent and my attention wasn’t split. At first, it felt slow—almost too quiet.
But the results? Night and day. I finished things faster. The quality of my work went up. I even found myself with free time (imagine that).
Turns out, doing one thing well beats doing ten things halfway. Give it a try—you might be surprised by how powerful a little focus can be.
5. Giving myself permission to grow gradually
Last but not least, I used to believe that success had a strict timeline: climb the corporate ladder fast, publish an acclaimed book by 35, be a perfect parent and partner, and so on.
If I missed a self-imposed deadline, I’d feel like a failure. The pressure was enormous.
But somewhere along the line, I realized that growth is supposed to be gradual. The big wins will come if you keep showing up. By easing that internal pressure, I gave myself room to enjoy small wins, learn from mistakes, and adapt as needed.
It also meant being kinder to myself. When I missed a deadline or messed up a pitch, I didn’t treat it like the end of the world. I used the misstep as a learning opportunity.
This mindset shift has done wonders for reducing that feeling of constantly being on edge. And the funny thing is, once I started focusing on steady progress instead of rushing to a finish line, I actually reached my goals faster.
In my experience, sometimes, taking your time is the best way to move forward.
Wrapping up
From embracing “good enough” work to carving out time for self-care, these practices completely changed how I approach my career—and my life. They help me stay on track without losing sight of my own well-being.
If you’re feeling swamped by endless tasks or teetering on the edge of exhaustion, remember this: small shifts can add up to big transformations. Keep showing up for yourself, and give these habits a try. You might be surprised how much you can achieve when you stop burning the candle at both ends.
Here’s to success that lights you up, not burns you out.
