As I finally lay down in my bed to fall asleep at the end of a long day, I’m completely exhausted – but there’s an overwhelming sense of accomplishment when I think about all the things I did throughout the day. Sure, it starts all over again tomorrow. The list keeps growing, the momentum doesn’t stop. But I can fall asleep knowing I worked my ass off that day – and I’ll tell ya, it feels damn good.
I’m not saying that I never get stressed out or overwhelmed, of course I do. And I’m not saying I always get everything done that I plan to either, but I certainly try. I set ridiculously high expectations for myself and have a habit of over-committing at times, but I’m getting a lot better at prioritizing and getting the most efficient use out of every hour in my day.
When you have a long list of goals and a high sense of urgency, you have to make the most out of your time. For the most part, I try to plan out nearly everything – I set deadlines, estimate the approximate amount of time it takes to get the task done, then go, go, go. When unexpected things come up, I evaluate what absolutely has to get done and what I can postpone until a later time. I don’t mind being fast-paced, nonstop. I actually love it. I work my ass off at my day job, and over lunch (if I get one) I’ll fit in a Pilates or Kickboxing class at the gym, or will meet with a potential business partner or contact. I attend networking/industry events in the evenings and in between I’ll bring my laptop to catch up on reading articles and blogs, work on outside projects, Skype with someone from Twitter or respond to personal e-mails. A few nights a week I cocktail at a restaurant for some extra cash. I still manage to find time for social-type activities, like happy hours, concerts, dinner with friends or stopping up to visit my grandma or mom. And then because I’m not busy enough, I started training for a marathon (half-marathon now), so I squeeze that in, too.
Ok, I admit that it’s maybe a little over-the-top and some people might think I’m slightly (or really) nuts. But I have large goals and I know that it takes hard work to achieve them. And that “hustle” is what makes me happy at the end of the day. Honestly, sometimes I still have a hard time understanding why someone doesn’t operate the same way I do, but it all comes down to what we personally need to feel fulfilled. Grace Boyle wrote a great post about respecting this and appreciating these differences in the people in our lives. And I absolutely do. But that’s another reason I’ve really enjoyed blogging – because I’ve met a lot of other people who are working to #Crushit every day, just like me. 
Do I worry about getting burnt out sometimes? Yes, because I’ve been there before, but the difference is that this time around I’ve identified the goals/projects I really need to focus on to get where I want to be. I used to attend each and every event under the sun, but I don’t now unless I think it’s truly going to benefit my career or it’s worth sacrificing something else. I’m learning to say no. And what has been extremely helpful is that now I’m building relationships with others who work just as hard (and even way harder) than me at kicking ass each and every day.
What do you have to accomplish each day to feel awesome about yourself and your life? Why do you think some of us are soooo different in this respect?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I know, we’re so alike
Each year that goes by, I learn to understand myself and recognize that doing everything isn’t the only way. Even for me, the “doer” of all things! So to answer your question, sometimes “to feel awesome about myself” I go to yoga after work and then just sit at home, relaxing and get a good night rest. That is enough for me. Another night, I will be socially stimulated by going to an event and then having dinner with friends. The ebb and flow is important. I would consider myself someone who is “down” but if we’re going to commit to being “down” we have to also be able to learn to say no, learn to step back and also learn to respect ourselves and what our body needs.
I think you’re absolutely right. I know I need to get better at relaxing and listening to my body when it’s telling me I’m running on empty. And realizing it’s ok to sit down and unplug for a little bit. You got me thinking about yoga lately and I actually met an instructor last night who was telling me all about it. It sounds like something I would really enjoy and benefit from. Would you mind chatting about it some time? I’d love to hear your thoughts, because I really wouldn’t even know where to start! (Plus then I could meet you!
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Wow. I can REALLY relate to your post today. I’ve been feeling a little (to say the least) overwhelmed lately. A good overwhelmed though. There are SO many awesome things happening in my life and I’m just like you – I have a TON of really large goals for myself. I have to admit, sometimes it’s hard for me to let my brain stop ticking at night because I’m simply just so excited about everything. But once I do fall asleep, damn. It does really feel good. Feeling accomplished is like no other feeling I could possibly attempt to describe.
For me, being so goal-driven came from my mother. She was ALWAYS pushing me to be better, to do more, to learn, and just keep pushing until I reach what I want. I honestly believe there are no limitations on anything you want. And IF there are limitations, they are there because YOU put them there.
Thank you for such a great post — it was the little “push” I needed to get through the rest of today!
-Elizabeth
Thanks so much for being here, Elizabeth! Sounds like we’re a lot alike and so happy we connected!
Would love to hear more about the awesome things you’re doing! Keep it up girl!
Ok, I just became exhausted reading about your typical day! LOL Sorry, Sara, but I just can’t do that anymore. I used to, in high school and college mostly. But I’m older now, and I feel like a retiree when I say I just want to slow down and enjoy life. I did the go, go, go, and I loved it, but I don’t have it in me anymore.
That said, a productive day for me includes working out, eating right, sleeping eight hours, playing with my dog, socializing with friends/family, being outside and laughing. If I can squeeze all of that in, it’s been a GREAT day.
I totally hear ya, Jen, and it sounds like you have it pretty good
. I’m not saying I’ll always operate on this level – but I think right now is when I’m building the foundation for the rest of my life – especially when it comes to my career, which is extremely important to me. And fortunately I have the time to focus on these things before I get into a serious relationship and settle down a little bit.
It will be interesting to see how priorities shift throughout the years.
Thanks for your thoughts, Jen!
All extremely valid points Sara – and after our recent conversations, I’m sure you know I’m in the same boat of “never slowing down”. The ONE most important thing I took away from this is “learning to say no” – something that has been EXTREMELY hard for me but that I am quickly learning is absolutely necessary to achieve goals, not to mention maintain sanity. I’ve been so willing to help everyone, take on every project, work with every client, that I’m quickly learning one man cannot do it all. You have to learn that it’s OK to say no, and own it – accept your decision and be realistic with your expectations.
You’re a rock-star Sara, it’s clear to anyone who takes the time to sit down and chat with you. Keep doing what you do.
You’re so wise, friend!
I’ve always struggled with saying no my entire life – and I’m trying to get a lot better at it and not overcommit myself. Easier said than done, but hey – we’re all works in progress, right?
Great post Sara! The first part of your post reminds of something that I read a couple years back that talks about the idea that the process is what enriches life and not always the result. I think that if you don’t enjoy doing the work that it takes to reach your goals, then you probably need to rethink what your goals are.
Along that line, I think that the reason why some people are so different is that their goals are just different. If your goal was to get a degree and land a good job and you’ve accomplished that already, but don’t set any higher goals, they why would you bust your ass everyday? The higher you set your goals, the more work it will take and conversely, the lower your goals the less work it takes. Those of us who expect more of ourselves will always be working to get better and enjoying every minute of it.
Again, great post and keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Evan!
Nice post Sara. I’m kind of like you in that I try to fit in a ton of things in one week. My average surf session runs about 3-5 hours and I try to go at least 5 times a week. Then you add networking events, blog stuff, a real job, etc, etc. To me, if I make a few steps of progress each day towards my major goals, I’m fulfilled. Of course sometimes watching 5 episodes of 24 in a row is also fulfilling
Ummmmm totally agree… but when I start watching a season of 24, I honestly have to block out an entire day because I’m hooked! Gosh, I haven’t done that in forever. Thanks for reminding me!
@Sara – Have been moving so just now getting a chance to comment, but I really appreciate this post because though I don’t ALWAYS operate like this… more 50/50 for me, I am WAY more efficient when my days are booked, and I feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment when I dominate said days. Even in school, I always got more stuff done when I took on the max I could handle because I knew I HAD to get X done in a certain window. When there was tons of down time it could ‘always wait’ til later.
For me, I also like the lazier days as well though because they help me re-charge for a batch of the uber-busy days.
Hey Ryan! No worries!
I’m actually the exact same way – I’m either in complete domination mode or I take the entire day or long period of time off (like Sunday Funday, for example). However, I probably don’t prioritize time for relaxing as often as I should, which is something I’m going to work on. Thanks so much for your input!
I’m a yes person. Always have, always will be. Instead of resisting, I just go with it. If I’m tired, so be it. I’m truly living. I know it’s not natural. I don’t ever want to have regrets.
I try to live by this quote on a daily basis:
“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are and what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”
It’s hard to change who you are. Embrace it.
I’m sort of the same way, in terms of having many things going on at once. I love the hustle and bustle.
I also have trouble sometimes understanding those who don’t prefer this sort of activity, but like you said, it’s important to remember we all find happiness and fulfillment in different things.
The saying no thing is absolutely key to sanity and success in business. It’s hard to harness at first, I think, but so worth it. I’m still working on it myself when it comes to my web development projects, but after a few years, I figured out what projects are worth it and which ones aren’t.
Thanks for the post Sara, can’t wait to meet up at SXSW!!
Being in education, life never shuts down. Good teachers, those who walk the talk of being a “life long learner,” are always think of how to do it better. When I transitioned to my current job of doing technology professional development, I thought it would slow down a bit since I wouldn’t have twenty 9 and 10 year olds to prepare for every day. However, due to Twitter, Google Reader and great blogs like yours, I read and interact more than ever. All the while, trying to weed through the crappy technology to make the best use of time for 900 teachers. Some days I feel like I’m screaming down the mountain on a snowboard, having a total blast, flying by some beautiful scenery. When I get to the bottom, I can look back and see the progress and smile knowing it was a good day. I can also learn from my mistakes and get to ride back up the mountain to try again the next day.
Great post. Reflection is such a key component to all careers.
If there’s one thing I learned is when you start to gain momentum that’s the time when you kick ass even harder, not slow down. Love to see I’m not the only on working on #CrushingIt every day.
Good luck with saying no – I just wrote a blog post about Forcing Fate and one of the comments was about someone who was also trying to learn how to (politely) say no. I tried that once. It didn’t work out for me as well as I would have liked and that’s because I didn’t have overarching goals to guide me: Why am I saying no? This time, I do. Good luck to you on that mission. Perhaps you can pass on those key learnings to those of us that are still working on it.
I’m taking a page from Chuck Norris this month – kicking ass and taking names. That’s why my feet hurt so much
How about you?
Great site i just stumbled upon. It is a Sunday afternoon, i should be taking at least 5 mins of rest but like your post i don’t know when to stop. Laundry is in the machine, burgers cooking on the stove, i’m on the internet trying to get caught up on my blogging and commenting but i keep getting distracted by all this goodness, (like finding your site)..needless to say the laundry is probably going to be wrinkled, i think i smell the burgers starting to burn but hey, at least i am exercising my mind here… i’m off to read the rest of your blog. Thanks!
I freakin Love this – couldn’t agree more…ass kickin is a great skill and takes a long time to master
Keep it up stud