At the time my career was taking off, I worked for a supportive leader. He would often say, “Focus on the glass balls, and let the rubber ones bounce.”
He meant it kindly. He didn’t want me working 12-hour days or burning out. He wanted me to focus on what truly mattered.
And yet, after every meeting, I would return to my office, put my head in my hands, and stare at my endless project list.
Of course, in theory it made sense. But in practice, I would look at my tiny team, our outdated systems, the demand of clients, and have no idea where to start.
So, like many high-achieving women, I told myself, “I got this.”
And I went right back to doing everything.
- Nothing changed
- I didn’t sleep much
- And I had very little energy for anything outside of work
Clarity Requires Stillness
Clarity doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from slowing down.
And yet, for most leaders, stillness feels uncomfortable.
We’ve been conditioned to move faster, answer faster, achieve more.
There’s always another email, Slack message, school notification, text response etc. tugging at our attention.
But without pausing, we can’t see the forest through the trees.
What I’d Tell My Younger Self
If I could go back, I’d tell her:
“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.”
I’d help her sort through her list. To identify what’s truly glass, what’s rubber, and what she can simply not do.
I would have invested in her mindset. Because she still believed she was supposed to get it all done.
Because the truth is: when you’re clear on your biggest priorities, the small things naturally fall away. (Similar to pre-vacation energy..!)
And from that clarity, your leadership will begin to feel a lot lighter.
Always in your corner,
Megan
P.S. If you tired of pushing and proving your way to the top, we should connect! Book a 30-minute Connection Call here.
