Feeling Overwhelmed? Step 1 to Sustainable Success Starts Here

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly running but never actually getting anywhere? You’re ticking things off the to-do list, but at the end of the day, it still feels like there’s an endless pile of work waiting for you. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. High achievers often fall into the trap of taking on too much without pausing to assess whether they’re actually moving in the right direction.

That’s where Step 1 of our 5 Days to Sustainable Success What’s On Your Plate? comes in. Before setting ambitious goals, it’s essential to take a hard look at your current commitments. Because if your plate is already overflowing, piling on more won’t get you closer to success—it will just lead to burnout.

Why You Need to Audit Your Commitments

Most people assume they need to add more structure, more goals, and more effort to be successful. But the truth is, sustainable success often starts with subtracting—clearing out the tasks, obligations, and mental clutter that aren’t actually serving you.

Your time and energy are limited resources. If you’re spreading yourself too thin, even the most important tasks won’t get the focus they deserve. That’s why the first step in this framework is about taking stock and getting real about what’s currently taking up space in your life.

The Commitment Audit: What’s Really On Your Plate?

A commitment audit is a simple but powerful exercise. Here’s how to do it:

1. Write down everything you’re committed to. This includes work tasks, side projects, meetings, personal responsibilities, volunteer roles, social commitments—everything that takes up your time and energy.

2. Categorise them. Use three categories:

   • Essential & Aligned (things that truly move you toward your goals and values)

   • Important but Draining (things you need to do but could be optimised or delegated)

   • Non-Essential or Misaligned (things you can let go of)

3. Be brutally honest. Are you holding onto commitments because you “should” do them? Because you don’t want to disappoint someone? Because they once served you but no longer do?

4. Decide what needs to go. Look at what’s misaligned or unnecessary and make a plan to step away from it.

5. Create space. By removing what’s not serving you, you’ll have more capacity for what truly matters.

The Power of Letting Go

It’s easy to think that cutting back means doing less. But in reality, it allows you to do more of what actually counts. You’ll gain clarity, reduce stress, and free up the energy needed to perform at your highest level.

Success isn’t about cramming as much as possible onto your plate—it’s about making sure the right things are there.

Get Access to the What's on your Plate Resource

To make this process even easier, Jen Young from Intentional Generations created a What's on Your Plate Resource that helps you capture, visualise, and analyse your time. This tool will give you a clear picture of where your energy is going and where you can create space for what truly matters. You’ll get exclusive access to this resource inside the 5 Days to Sustainable Success Challenge!

Ready to Take Back Control of Your Time?

If this step resonates with you, then you’re going to love the challenge. In this free 5-day experience, we will walk you through how to align your goals with your vision, build sustainable success strategies, and finally break the cycle of overwhelm.

Join the challenge here and start creating a life and career that energises you—without burning out.