There’s a certain madness in this pattern – working myself into a state over deadlines I’ve created for myself. It’s not just about tidying loose ends before vacation; it’s compounded by this being both end of month and end of quarter, times when I feel particularly driven to complete all the plans I’ve made for myself.
I’ve been reflecting on why I do this to myself, and what it might reveal about how we approach our professional lives.
On one level, there’s wisdom in completing projects before stepping away. Nobody wants to return from a rejuvenating break to face half-finished tasks and the mental gymnastics of remembering where we left off. Completing these before departure creates space for true presence during our time away.
And yes, there’s value in those quarterly checkpoints. I love looking back to see how far I’ve come, celebrating progress and acknowledging wins. These moments of reflection are powerful – they help us recognise our growth instead of constantly moving the goalpost.
But the deeper question I’m asking myself is about the optimism (or perhaps delusion) that consistently drives me to overload my plate. Every month, every quarter, every year – I set more intentions than any human could reasonably accomplish. Am I unconsciously setting myself up for disappointment? What drives this pattern?
Perhaps it’s the achievement orientation that many of us cultivated throughout our careers. The voice that whispers we’re never quite doing enough, that our worth is tied to our productivity. Maybe it’s the subtle but persistent message that successful women must constantly prove themselves through superhuman output.
I notice how harshly I judge myself when I don’t complete everything on my ambitious list. My Inner Critic appears right on schedule, questioning my discipline, my focus, my worth. And in response, I push harder, creating exactly the kind of stress that diminishes both creativity and effectiveness.
The irony is that this stress-driven push to meet self-imposed deadlines often creates diminishing returns. The quality suffers. The joy disappears. And the work that truly matters – the strategic thinking, the relationship building, the innovation – gets sacrificed for the satisfaction of crossing items off a list.
As I get ready for my music retreat, I’m challenging myself to approach deadlines differently. To distinguish between what truly needs completion and what can wait. To recognise that my value isn’t measured by my productivity alone. To create space for rest without feeling burdened by unmet expectations.
Because ultimately, the leaders who make the most significant impact aren’t necessarily those who check the most boxes – they’re the ones who bring their whole, balanced selves to their work, who model sustainable success rather than perpetual striving.
I wonder – where might you be creating unnecessary deadline pressure in your own life? What would happen if you released just a bit of that self-imposed expectation? What might open up in that space? I’ve decided to release my expectations and simply see where that takes me this week.
What are your thoughts?
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