Carrying a heavy load

When I was in my deputy principal role, a friend and colleague gave me a gift - a small woven figurine of a woman. The woman was carrying a basket of goods on her head and a bucket in each hand. My friend said the figurine reminded her of me - carrying a heavy load.?

Leader, this is not a fond memory for me.?

Back then, I was like the proverbial duck on the water; it was important to me to appear like I had everything under control, to keep things calm and confident-looking on the surface, even though I was paddling like crazy to keep my facade in place.?

The thought of being a little kinder to myself, taking on a little less, giving less than every last drop of energy to my work; well that was not an option, I considered it a slippery slope to letting go of all my standards.

Now, I know better and do better. I am a better leader and a better human. And it has taken effort, it is still an effort! For me the work has been giving myself permission to put some of the load down, to empower and encourage others to take on new responsibilities and expand their skills and knowledge.??

Because you see, when we do it all and try and be it all, we are taking opportunity from others. And if we believe, as I truly do, that leadership is about showing up as your best self and supporting others to do the same, then we cannot carry all the baskets and all the buckets!?

What can you give yourself permission to put down this term?