Are you listening to your capacity's call for a change?
Did you know that before starting The Digital Jane, I worked as a freelance event producer? For many years, I enjoyed the chaos and flexibility of producing events, working long hours, and living off the adrenaline of standing in the moment of an experience I helped create. I was recognized for my ability to adapt to change, find solutions, and manage complex logistics without ever missing the mark. All of this came naturally to me, and I found myself working on a variety of brand activations, festivals, and social impact events, often with brands, artists, and public figures.
As the years went on, working in this capacity was mentally taxing for me. It was no longer fun and I didn't know what to do because I'd build my entire identity around being a producer and doing it with excellence. But, my capacity was changing. Instead of growing into an award-winning producer of all of the star-studded events I'd dreamed of, I bowed out. And started The Digital Jane.
When I started TDJ, I discovered an untapped capacity. It was like a second wind, and I was excited, motivated, and determined to build it. It was a different drive than when I was in events because not only did I have the opportunity to build the business and team I wished existed, but I was also able to help our clients build theirs. I believe purpose renewed my capacity.
I also believe that we each have a capacity in individual areas of our lives, personal and professional. When seasons in your life change, your capacity may grow or shrink. It is our responsibility to respond to the capacity shift because if you don't, you will feel it.
I remember finishing a beautiful two-day conference. Everyone absolutely loved it, and the client gave us so much praise. But I felt beat down and mentally depleted. After that event, I started to listen and trust how I felt rather than how someone else told me to feel as a metric of success.
"That little feeling" is now what I use to decide which projects to take on, who to work with, and which opportunities align best with my current capacity. I honor that feeling even when it means leaving a lot of money on the table. It's a scarcity mindset to think that I have to accept every project I'm asked to do. If I don't feel connected to the work, I'm the ONLY one who'll suffer from saying "yes." I want to give my best to whatever I commit to, and the only way I can do that is by honoring my capacity. So, if you get me, you get the best of me. Bet that!
Are you aware of when your capacity needs to change?
As leaders, it is our responsibility to set a capacity and honor it.
The next time you are feeling like you are not in a flow with your capacity, ask yourself these 3 questions….
Tips for developing a system for assessing your capacity:
Develop a system to identify and honor your capacity by evaluating your limits regularly. Ask yourself, "What is my capacity in this season?" Determine if you're in a growth phase or facing limitations and set clear boundaries accordingly.
Implement supportive routines such as prioritizing tasks, scheduling downtime, and delegating when necessary.
Listen to your body and mind for signs of overextension.
If you find it difficult to say no, consider developing a referral system. This way, you can provide an alternative option to someone without feeling like you are letting them down. I have a referral system for TDJ, and it has helped me avoid saying yes to prospects that I knew were not a good fit, just because I wanted to help. I always want to help people, haha!
Set boundaries. Boundaries not only protects your time but also safeguard your quality of your work.
Remember, nothing good ever comes from overextending yourself. Either you or the project will suffer. What if this is someone's first impression of your work? Stop at capacity.
My goal is to help more women in leadership positions experience the joy and peace of not having to operate at full capacity in every season, juggling all the tasks and doing everything themselves.
If you are going through a period of growth and feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities, let's talk about what might be missing in your operations to create the necessary structure and alleviate some of the pressure.
Until next time, have a great and productive week!
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