“Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”
— Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
We’ve all been there:
“I’m raising these concerns and reaching out because I care!”
“If I’m not involved, it might not go well. I’ve been the go-to for years, and I don’t want to let anyone down.”
“I’m the leader, so naturally, I should lead this initiative.”
Whether you’re a nonprofit board member, a business executive steering a multimillion-dollar operation, or a pastor managing a thriving multisite church, the tug to “do it all” feels real. But here’s the kicker—just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.
Greg McKeown frames it perfectly:
“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It’s about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy to operate at your highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”
Take a breath. Let that sink in.
If you’re a visual thinker, here’s a framework on the house: RACI (or its cousin, CAIRO). RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed—a simple tool to clarify who does what on a project. The beauty of RACI is that it acknowledges a powerful truth: not everything is yours to do.
- Responsible: The person doing the work.
- Accountable: The one ultimately answerable.
- Consulted: Those whose input is needed.
- Informed: Those who need updates.
When you try to own every role—responsible, accountable, consulted, informed—you stretch yourself thin and diminish your effectiveness. Embracing RACI frees you to focus on what’s truly yours while empowering others to step up.
So, as we step into 2025, here’s my challenge to you:
Take stock of your commitments. What’s essential? What’s noise? What can you delegate or drop? Start small—choose one project, one area of life, and intentionally apply this mindset.
We created this simple free resource: [RACI Template One-Pager]. This simple tool will clarify roles and responsibilities, making it easier to delegate, empower your team, and focus on your essential work.
[Click here to download your free RACI Template One-Pager now!]
This year, let’s prioritize what matters most—our highest points of contribution. And remember, saying no to the non-essential isn’t selfish; it’s an act of service.
Because when we focus on what truly matters, everyone wins.
Cheers to a year of purpose, clarity, and impact!
