You don’t grow by doing more; you grow by doing more of what matters most

Let’s face it: leaders are wired to get results. We thrive on action, progress, and making things happen. But here’s the brutal truth: being busy isn’t the same as being effective.

I see this all the time with my clients, and, if I’m honest, I’ve fallen into the same trap myself. The habit of doing too much can sneak in with good intentions but quickly turn into overcommitment, burnout, and missed opportunities to focus on what actually matters.

The Problem with Doing Too Much

When you try to take on everything, here’s what really happens:

• You suffocate your own productivity. Instead of excelling, you’re just treading water.
• You drain your energy. Spreading yourself thin makes you less effective in the areas that truly need your attention.
• You become the bottleneck. By trying to handle everything, you hold back your team and limit their growth.

Here’s the counterintuitive truth: You don’t grow by doing more; you grow by doing more of what matters most.

How to Break the Habit of Doing Too Much

If this sounds familiar, it’s time to stop and reassess. Here’s the approach I recommend to my clients (and follow myself):

• Evaluate Take a hard look at every task, meeting, and decision on your plate. Sort them into these four tiers:
• Mission Critical
• Important & Strategic
• Meaningful but Not Vital
• Externally Initiated & Lower Priority Be brutally honest: how much of your time is spent on the bottom two tiers?
• Eliminate Remove as many lower-tier tasks as possible. Instead of asking, “Can I do this?” ask, “Should I do this?” The difference is massive.
• Delegate Trust your team to take on more. Delegation isn’t just about freeing up your time; it’s about empowering others to grow and contribute. Remember: you can’t lead effectively if you’re also doing everything.
• Automate Streamline repetitive or low-value tasks. Whether it’s email filters, templates, or workflows, automation buys you back precious time for the things that truly matter.

Protecting Your Time

Don’t let your day happen to you. Plan your time strategically. Prioritize fewer tasks and do them better. Focus on high-impact work instead of spinning your wheels on things that don’t move the needle.

Here’s what separates great leaders from the rest: they don’t just do more, they do more of what truly matters.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stuck in the “too much” trap, take this as your sign to pause, evaluate, and refocus. Start with one small change today, your future self will thank you.

#Leadership #TimeManagement #Productivity #CareerGrowth #Focus