Project Simplify: Be clear about your roles

by Michele Dortch on December 7, 2009 · 2 comments

We each have roles in life that uniquely define who we are. For example, I’m a mom, wife, sister, daughter, writer, runner, and more. Within each role we have responsibilities and goals.

I’ve written before about how the work-life juggle comes down to effectively managing these roles. If you’re feeling particularly overloaded by the complexities of work and life, you may need to clarify your roles. Here’s how:

  1. Write them down – all of them.
  2. Jot down your primary responsibility for each role. For example, as a writer I’m responsible for producing quality content for my clients.
  3. Realize what you want from each role. As a writer, I want to eventually get my book concept published.
  4. Filter tasks and opportunities. Ask: Will doing this add value to this role? How will this activity or commitment move me forward in this role?
  5. Learn to assist, rather than lead (all the time). Ambition and drive are hallmarks of many working moms, but sometimes those qualities end up hindering you more than helping because you end up adopting other people’s roles.

This post is a part of a series:

Project Simplify

Related posts:

  1. Project Simplify: 80/20 it
  2. Project Simplify: Stop being important
  3. Project Simplify: Let it go, then let it go again

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Kristina Brooke December 12, 2009 at 11:15 pm

This is a great series. I am very interested in learning more about how to simplify my life. I like how you distinguish between your roles and the ones that you adopt. I am going to try this exercise and let you know how it happens.

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2 Michele Dortch December 14, 2009 at 1:41 pm

Thanks for the comment Kristina. I’m glad it was helpful.

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