Sometimes you just need permission.
I recently worked with a client who was certain there was no way we could “find more time” in her schedule.
She is a radiologist with an incredible load and high integrity. Always running from one emergency to another.
Overwhelmed by her administrative paperwork, not to mention managing a full staff, while trying to balance motherhood and oh yeah, a husband, aging parents and some semblance of social life.
Her dream?
To be fully present for her adorable two-year-old and supportive husband every evening.
Her reality?
Barely making it home before dinner, distracted by texts and emails through bedtime routine, then frequently working until after midnight just to stay afloat.
Like many of my clients, she partnered with me as a result of mental fatigue and blind faith (I’m trusting you even though I don’t totally know what to expect).
Two weeks into working together we talked about her limiting belief system, boundaries, and self-sabotaging actions. (Not exactly the work you’d expect of a productivity coach, huh?)
We identified a pattern of unrealistic expectations set by the Queen Overachiever herself.
She made a commitment to her clients that consistently put her behind the eight-ball, her team in constant stress, and her boss frustrated by her missed deadlines.
“Would patients be put in danger if you changed their expectations of getting results in 48 hours instead of 24 hours?” I asked.
“No, not really.” She said. “But……(looooong dramatic pause)…..Can I do that?”
“Is there a good reason you can’t?”
She thought for a few moments and then blurted out, “No, I guess not.”
And just like that, she took the first step to opening her mind and her calendar.
By resetting expectations for her clients, team members, and boss, she was home three nights last week to actually MAKE dinner and enjoy it with her fam (not just wolf it down over an email).
Which brings me back to today’s topic…
Sometimes you just need permission to do what you know you should be doing.
Even though it’s outside of your comfort zone.
Even though it goes against the way you’ve been doing something for a long time.
Even though it might be questioned.
Even though you’ve never done it that way.
In fact, if you need permission to change up a routine or a system or a method that is keeping you in a stressful and overwhelming pattern, I am giving it to you.
Permission Granted.
Btw, a step-by-step plan and an accountability coach won’t hurt either. 😉
If you need help figuring out the next steps to turn your permission it into a liberating “new normal” I’d love to help you.
Getting out of your own way is key to a rewarding career and life. Let’s hop on a call and make that happen.
Here’s to getting more of the right things done,
Xo,
Mridu
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