GNT #49: "Getting sh*t done" was holding me back

read time: 3 minutes
 

For many years, I thought being the "get sh*t done" person is who I should strive to be:

- The dependable one 👊
- The "do-er" 👊
- A "fixer" 👊

This is what it looked like:
→ I said yes to every request
→ I was obsessed over my to-do list
→ I did what others wouldn't, couldn't do
→ I was helpful, but not valued as strategic
→ I did work that was urgent, but not seen as important
→ I lived in my inbox, feeling compelled to respond immediately
→ I kept a lot of "administrative" work because I felt bad pushing it to anyone else
→ I figured out how to get new requests done in addition to everything else on my plate

I was always the hardest worker in the room. I took on extra work, proudly. And I was reliable as hell. 

Now, don't get me wrong, these are all great qualities to have as I grew and learned a ton in my career.

But, if I was known for ONLY one thing -- it was being the magic-worker, the person that gets things done.

And it held me back.

Especially from breaking into senior roles earlier in my career.

Are you facing this similar scenario?

Are you looking to grow as a strategic leader or entrepreneur but get stuck in the weeds of doing all the things?

Here is what I realized that helped me start to make this shift. 
 

When you are the one to “get sh*t done” you are not viewed as strategic or focused on strategic change

And that's not a bad thing. I was the get sh*t done person for a long time.

But...

If you want more. If you want to grow as a strategic leader or entrepreneur, this trait becomes a roadblock.

I was so focused on execution, I was consistently doing things that:

→ Were urgent (but not important)
→ No one else would/could do
→ Were administrative in nature
→ Were preventing me from thinking about my vision, my priorities, or my strategy.

I was so busy "fixing", helping everyone else, and doing things outside my scope that weren't strategic...

I got burned out.
Resented my work.
And wasn't growing in my career.

I was seen as the "do-er", not as the strategic partner.

Because I couldn't be strategic while I was obsessed over the doing.

Read more: How to reimagine your career

How to shift from getting more "sh*t done" to doing more meaningful work

It feels so good to cross things off your to-do list.

Trust me, I know.

You can tangibly see your accomplishments and progress.

Saying no and heaven forbid being "disappointing" is freaking scary. 

Read more: 3 Essential Phrases to Assertively Decline

Seeking strategic work (new!!), delegating administrative tasks (guilt!!), and sharing your expertise (impostor!!) requires moving into the realm of uncertainty, outside your comfort zone, and proceeding forward even though it's scary as hell.

But that's the difference between getting more "sh*t done" and doing more meaningful work.

Stagnation vs. growth beyond your expectations.

Here are a few simple things you can do to shift from getting stuff done to focusing on more meaningful work: 

↳ Get comfortable with saying "no", "not right now", "why", or "let me get back to you" 

↳ Identify what can be delegated, automated, or eliminated. Use the time saved to think higher. Solve bigger problems.

↳ Focus on creating real change, major results (not just crossing things off your list)

↳ Proactively look for opportunities to do strategic work

↳After identifying your top priorities, timeblock your schedule whenever possible

↳Daily habits:

--  dedicate 30 minutes each day to learn/consume helpful content aligning with your goals

--  set aside 60 minutes each week to brainstorm new ideas or solutions to existing challenges
 

To shift your own focus and how others perceive your work value, you first need to change how you set expectations. How YOU act.

Do more meaningful work that is aligned with strategic value and your actions will shift the perception.

Remember - it's OK to be helpful and reliable. One of my core values is integrity. I take pride in my ability to execute and work hard.

There's nothing wrong with getting the work done, as long as it's done intentionally.

Want to grow?

Do the work that aligns with where you want to go, not just checks a box on your to-do list. 

✌️

I believe in you.

I'm rooting for you my friend. 

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