Are you in the habit of overcommitting?
Whether this is to a new goal, task or idea.
Or to a person or request.
Often we try to do too much. I definitely know I do.
I think I have more time than I do.
I think I have more energy or desire than I do.
Or I want to make someone happy or I think by saying ‘yes’ it will all be a little easier.
Our need to overcommit often comes from something deeper than just a difficulty holding a boundary or people pleasing or imposter syndrome.
It can come from a true belief that if we tried harder, worked a little more, and were more disciplined or consistent, we could do it.
& maybe we could.
Overcommitment isn’t just about adding to our to-do list. It’s about our desires to do better and be better.
& I think at the start of the new year, it can go into hyperdrive.
After all, we have the whole year ahead of us.
We’ve just come off a break.
We are seeing everyone else commit to so many goals.
So what do we have to lose?
A LOT.
We can lose our confidence. We can feel incompetent. We can feel unsuccessful. We lose our momentum.
We start too big. We fall too quickly.
& we find it hard to regroup.
Instead, rather than overcommitting, we should look at a 1% change. What does a 1% tweak look like to my current tasks, goals or ideas? What does an additional 1% commitment to a person or request look like?
After all, we learned a lot in 2023. We grew a lot in 2023. We are not the same people who started 2023.
We are stronger, more capable, more skilled and more experienced.
So we don’t need to have a complete overhaul to be better or do better.
We just need 1%.
& slowly compound, each day, each week, each month with consistency, momentum, confidence and self-trust.
So that by the end of 2024, we will be 366% more skilled, capable, and successful and the best bit?
We enjoyed the process and thrived through it.
