January 2024

Do Less, but Better

by Elaina Ayala

A reoccurring theme had been running through my mind for many months and it’s something I suspect many of you also may be feeling internally. It’s something that is countercultural and usually gets a bad wrap in our high productivity, fast paced society which celebrates the high capacity, go-getter.

Now don’t get me wrong, I 100% consider myself a high capacity, go-getter LOL, but something I am learning to value, even above getting things done is longevity and health.

The idea running through my mind was ‘doing less, but better’.

If we’re being completely honest, I feel that many of us think we can do more well that we actually can… at least if we’re talking about doing it for the long haul.

When I found out I was pregnant with our second son, Jude, I began to feel like a structural change needed to happen with my lifestyle, and more specifically, my schedule. There was a low level of tension running through my mind as I anticipated what life would look like after bringing a new baby into the world. I knew that if I wanted to do things well, I would need to make some changes. My desire was to move to a part time work schedule so I could be home with my babies more, but I had numerous mental hurdles to overcome.

If you’ve been on any of our Women in Leadership calls, you know I talk a whole lot about core values. This was a classic example of competing core values. My value for getting things done was competing with my value for quality family time. Something had to give. I knew I needed to properly order these core values in my life and ask myself an honest question, “What do you want to do well?”

I decided to experiment with a part time work schedule during my maternity leave, and in doing so, I realized it could be done with less time in the office.

If you’re in that same boat, saying, “something has to give”, chances are it’s more complicated than face value, and it may seem impossible right now. My advice to you is the advice that encouraged me greatly — you have to take it to the Lord; He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He will craft and create the solutions and open doors you desperately need. He is not just interested in getting a short sprint out of you, but rather, He is interested in you lasting.

The heart of God for us, is with us lasting, and our family loving God. His heart for us is longevity and building us to last.

I hope you’ll join us for our next Women in Leadership Group Coaching Call on December 30th. We’ll be doing a Distraction Detox together as we head into the new year. Invest in yourself and join other women who are doing the same! Learn more.