Sometimes it is hard to know when we need to give more and when we are doing too much. Here are some guidelines to help you decide when to back-off or step-up.

Doing Too Much

This state of being comes with an uncomfortable level of overwhelm. We know to create something new and build it there is an initial window of effort that will take a great deal of organization and discipline to achieve, but this is different than taking on too much. When you are really doing too much you may have these indicators:

• An increased level of activity that has no end date
• You do not find much of what you are investing your time in as enjoyable
• You are overwhelmed a large percentage of every day
• You have not been in control of your time even before you added the most recent activities
• You cannot relax or simply sit quietly
• You feel the need to always be doing something towards your goals
• Your family, friends, and mentors feel left out of your goals and often your life

Stretching Bigger

When we stretch we are uncomfortable, but that is for a short period of time. Stretching will take us to the next level of our journey. Here are some indicators that are more closely associated with as short-term achievement investment:

• Your achievement has an end date
• You had control of your day before you took on this new state
• You have dedicated time during the day to work in this state and then you stop
• You are able to relax during the day
• You are actively driven and committed to the outcome but you are not overwhelmed most of the time
• Your family, friends, and mentors are in support of your goals

If you really want to stretch and you are actually doing too much then try letting go of some things and re-engaging with the rest of your life. The things you focus on grow. If you are focusing on too many things you cannot bring your best to any one of them and you cannot grow. Be the expert and find your focus so you can be stretching to your best and not simply stretched-to-thin.