One thing to try to more easily let go of thoughts about work
Datum: 2025-12-15 09:45
I received an email from Anna, who writes that she has difficulty letting go of her work tasks after the end of the workday. She never feels completely satisfied and done with what she delivers; there is always something she could perfect and improve, even though the quality is undoubtedly enough for those for whom she does things. Consequently, thoughts of work intrude too much on her free time. What can she do to more easily wrap up, put her foot down and be entirely off duty?
For you who prefer listening to reading, this post is also available as an episode of the ""Done!"" podcast:
Not particularly accurate
I recognize what she describes, both in people I have met through the years and in myself, at times. If we spend more time than necessary on tasks and overdeliver in this way, we are not very good at estimating what a “good enough” level is, in my opinion. However, if you “calibrate” the level of what you deliver to match better what the recipient expects, you will put in just the needed work, not more. If you have a distorted image of what is expected, you will benefit from obtaining a more accurate image, which you can adjust your work effort to.
Do this
If you recognize yourself in Anna’s situation and, like her, tend to overdeliver in your work and want to break that habit, try the next week to check in more often than you have before on the level of what the recipient expects from you. This could be about how much of something you should deliver (how many words, for example), how finished it should be (ready for printing or more of a draft), how polished, or something similar.
If you want, suggest a “level” yourself and see if it is enough in the recipient’s eyes. Then, try suggesting a level that is the lowest you can imagine “getting away with” and see if it is sufficient. If not, you can deliver at the high (in your opinion, more normal) level as usual. But what if the lower level is enough? Then you could be off and relax more and earlier than you have before.
More time for the right things
If you accurately estimate how much work you need to put into your tasks, you will overwork less. You will more easily know when you have done enough and can consider the task complete. I would guess that this leads to feeling more satisfied with what you have accomplished and letting go of thoughts about work tasks when you are off duty more than before.
How do you do it?
What tricks do you have for delivering just enough? Please write and share your thoughts — we ambitious people often fall into this trap, and every trick that helps us avoid it is very welcome.
(On the same topic, here are eight ways to turn off work during the weekend!)
You can get more!
If you want more tips on how to create good structure at work, there are many ways to get that from me - in podcasts, videos, books, talks and other formats.
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