“Let Go to Let In”: Shifting from “I Have to Do Everything” to “I Make Time for What Truly Matters” | Episode 16

Does this sound familiar?

You wake up already feeling behind, rushing to get through an endless to-do list. There’s always something to finish, an email to respond to, or a meeting to attend. You tell yourself there’s no time for exercise, reading, or even a moment of quiet. No time for yourself, for family, or for rest.

I used to believe the same thing. I thought the only way to succeed was to do more—to say yes to everything, push through exhaustion, and ignore my own needs. But I learned the hard way that this approach only leads to burnout, stress, and frustration.

The truth is, "no time" isn’t the cause of our struggles. It’s the effect of how we manage our time and energy.

Many people believe that being productive means doing as much as possible. The common mindset is:

But in reality, this leads to:

I’ve met so many professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are constantly in motion—always in meetings, always responding to messages, always saying yes. Yet, despite all their hard work, they feel stuck. They struggle to find time for deep work, personal growth, or even a simple break. Eventually, their motivation fades, their creativity suffers, and their confidence takes a hit.

This is because busyness is not the same as progress. Without focus and intention, all that effort gets scattered, leading to stress instead of results.

Instead of doing more, the key is to make space for what truly matters. This doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities but rather eliminating unnecessary tasks, delegating work, and being intentional with your time.

One of the most effective ways to do this is by applying The Four D’s:

1. Delete – Eliminate tasks that don’t add value.
Not everything on your to-do list is essential. Take a step back and identify tasks, habits, and commitments that don’t align with your goals or contribute meaningfully to your life. Often, we hold onto obligations out of habit or guilt, even when they no longer matter to us.

Letting go of unnecessary tasks—whether it’s attending unproductive meetings, striving for unattainable perfection, or overthinking—creates room for more important priorities.

2. Delegate – Hand off tasks that others can do.
You don’t have to do everything yourself. If a task is draining your energy or isn’t within your area of expertise, consider handing it off to someone who can do it more efficiently. Delegation isn’t about avoiding responsibility—it’s about maximizing your strengths and allowing others to do the same.

For example, I hired virtual assistants to help me with content creation and social media management, and I brought in an accountant to take care of my finances. This freed up my time for high-impact work that I genuinely enjoy.

3. Do Less – Reduce the frequency or intensity of tasks.
Sometimes, the key to effectiveness is not adding more to your plate but streamlining what’s already there. Instead of overloading your schedule with excessive planning and preparation, focus on the most impactful actions. Many people fall into the trap of spending too much time organizing, deciding, and perfecting, rather than actually executing.

I used to over-plan every step of a project, thinking that more preparation meant better results. In reality, it often led to unnecessary delays. Now, I prioritize execution over excessive planning, and I’ve seen significant progress.

4. Delay – Postpone tasks that aren’t essential right now.

Not everything needs to be done immediately. Some goals, like pursuing further education or earning an advanced certification, are valuable but may not be the right priority at the moment. When you try to do everything at once, you risk spreading yourself too thin, leading to stress and diminished results. Strategic delaying allows you to create space to fully commit to what requires your attention now without sacrificing long-term goals.

When you shift your mindset and apply The Four D’s, everything changes:

For me, making these changes meant I could spend more time with my family, focus on personal growth, leverage on my strengths, and actually enjoy my work. I no longer feel like I’m drowning in responsibilities. Instead, I feel energized and aligned with what truly matters.

You can continue saying yes to everything, staying overwhelmed, and feeling exhausted as you try to juggle endless tasks. Or, you can start letting go of what doesn’t truly matter, creating the space you need to focus on what drives your success, health, and happiness.

Which path will you choose?

If you're ready to stop overcommitting and start prioritizing what truly matters but aren't sure where to begin, coaching can help. In a coaching session, we’ll work together to gain clarity on what’s most important to you, identify limiting beliefs around overcommitment and productivity, and overcome the fear of letting go and saying no. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Book a free consultation today or apply to be a guest on Realizations with Clarissa for a free coaching session, and start making space for what truly matters.

00:00 - Introduction
01:33 - The Struggle of Never Having Time
02:52 - The Mistake: Trying to Do Everything
05:42 - Busyness Is Not the Same as Progress
06:59 - The Solution: Let Go to Let In
09:06 - The Four D's
09:38 - Delete
13:56 - Delegate
17:56 - Do Less
22:53 - Delay
24:08 - What’s In It for You?
28:39 - You Have a Choice