Hello Reader,
This article outlines three strategies for staying focused during high-pressure periods: prioritizing the most important tasks, delegating with clarity, and setting clear boundaries around availability. The framework helps leaders and professionals reduce overwhelm and make better decisions when everything feels urgent.
​
The Big 3: How to Stay Focused When Everything Feels Urgent
When deadlines stack up and pressure increases, it can feel like everything needs attention at once. This often leads to overwhelm, decision fatigue, and reactive work instead of meaningful progress.
When everything feels urgent, clarity becomes more important than speed.​
The goal isn’t to do more — it’s to focus on what actually matters.
Here are three essential strategies that help leaders and professionals stay grounded and effective during high-pressure periods.
1. Ruthlessly prioritize what matters most
Start by identifying your top three must-do priorities for the current period. These should be the tasks that truly move work forward or prevent major issues.
Give yourself permission to pause or deprioritize everything else.
This is not avoidance — it’s strategic focus.
Clear priorities reduce mental overload and make decision-making easier.
2. Delegate with clarity — then step back
Delegation works best when expectations are clear.
When handing off tasks:
- explain the outcome you want
- clarify deadlines and constraints
- then allow others to own the work
Avoid micromanaging. Delegation builds trust, develops your team, and protects your own capacity during demanding periods.
3. Set clear boundaries around availability
Constant availability leads to burnout — not better leadership.
Communicate when you are available and when you are not. Let others know how and when to reach you, and trust that most issues can wait.
Clear boundaries support better focus, better decisions, and healthier leadership.
Final thought
High-pressure moments don’t require heroic effort — they require clarity, trust, and boundaries.
When everything feels urgent, returning to these three principles helps you stay steady, effective, and grounded.
Reader, how are you managing the rush? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
Susan
600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​
