Do you ever feel like there is just too much to do and too many people are relying on you to get it all done? If so, it is time to set some boundaries – starting with yourself. We are the ones who say, “Yes.” We are the ones that cannot say, “No.” Many try to win approval by being the Go-to Gal or Guy.  Then privately, they beat themselves up for doing too much or for not being good enough.  Evaluate your life and commitments and ask yourself why you are trying to please everyone all the time.  Are you being the best you can be by spreading yourself too thin?  Are you known for doing a couple of things really well or are you known as the “Jack of All Trades, Master of None?”

In reality, the person who does too much and is overcommitted, (the Jacks) is the one who gets the menial tasks in a project.   Leaders pick out the Masters and assign them the high profile, mission-critical tasks.  The Masters then get the individual recognition for their contribution, while the Jacks are lumped into the All Other group and receive minimal praise.  Overall, it is not bad to be in the All Other group, unless you are in that group solely because you spread yourself too thin and could have been a Master and contributed on a much higher level.

When you are capable of being a Master and find yourself with the Jacks, you will become frustrated.  Take a long look at your commitments, decide where you can best apply your special skills and talents, and begin to focus on those one or two areas.  It will not be easy declining requests for other projects and you may even need to step down from current ones.  It will be important to explain that you recognize you have spread yourself too thin and you realize that you are not giving your best to each one.  Once you have identified those couple of areas you want to focus your efforts – give it your all.  Focus your attention, time and effort on those projects and become the Master.  You will begin to flourish and find joy when you put concentrated effort into those things at which you excel.  You may even find you begin to receive more recognition for your efforts – and although many will say that recognition should not be your goal, in reality, praise feeds and fuels the soul.  You are skilled and talented and your unique contribution deserves recognition.  Accept the praise with pride!

We all have special skills.  When those skills are honed and used effectively, they will improve the process or outcome of a project or mission.   Identify you own special skills and begin to position yourself to employ them in a way that adds the best value.  Be a Master on select projects and be a Jack only on occasion.  The boundaries you set for yourself will set you free from the frustration and guilt you carry around with you.   Resist the urge to do too much.  Become a Master!