How to Care Less about Your Job - The Right Way

Work is supposed to challenge you, but too many of us end up in a position where that 'challenge' ends up consuming us. We end up treating every typo, deadline, or minor setback like a career-ending crisis.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that's not healthy.

While caring (sometimes deeply) is a good thing, caring about everything, all the time, can be exhausting. And it will often result with us being less productive than if we learn't to let a few things go.

You don’t need to stop caring. You just need to redirect your energy toward what matters most and let go of the rest. Here are three practical ways to lower the emotional load of your job without letting your standards slip.

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Three Ways To Care Less:

1. Define what “good enough” looks like

Perfectionism is just stress in disguise.
Before you start a task, decide what the finish line is.

Ask:

What standard is actually required here?

Will extra hours really improve the outcome?

How will I know when this is done?

If the task only needs to be functional, don’t spend time polishing it like a masterpiece. Stop when it’s good enough.

2. Don’t pick up every problem

It’s fine to offer help and if you have capacity, then that just makes good sense. But if you offering to support everyone else results in you being overloaded, then you (and your team) are going to end up in a tough spot.

Ask:

Is this really my responsibility?

What support can I give without taking it over?

What would happen if I stepped back?

Support where you can, but don’t take on too much.

3. Protect your energy, not just your time

Managing your calendar only goes so far if you’re constantly drained.
Think about where your energy goes, not just where your hours go.

Try:

Taking short breaks before and after high-stress work

Blocking focus time away from chat and email

Scheduling downtime the same way you schedule meetings

Energy is fuel. Guard it carefully.

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Two Quotes To Reflect On For The Week Ahead

“ Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices.”
– Betsy Jacobson

“ You can do anything, but not everything.”
– David Allen