UNITED STATES—Some of us are just guilty of being overachievers, it might be a result of what many call having a Type A personality. Yes, unfortunately, I’m one of those people, and I’m coming to the realization that sometimes trying to do it all is not the best fit. I tend to be that person when it comes to work that likes to do everything because the idea of something not being completed drives me crazy and I mean that, it literally drives me crazy people.

Why? I have this fear of things not being done, and it’s not that I don’t trust people, but it has happened to me time and time again. I take a day off of work because of personal matters and come back to a complete mess. It’s like why can the rest of the world take time off, but God forbid I actually need a moment to decompress or just detach from everything, the world collapses. The situation is only heightened when it seems like no matter what, no one is willing to allow me to have a moment of peace.

I’ve come to realize that it’s actually ok to turn off your cell phone, toss it in the drawer and just forget about it. Whatever issues arise, it’s up to someone else to figure out a way to solve the problem. If you give the impression that you can do it all, it eventually leads to everyone expecting you to do it all. They want to hand off things to you, they think you’re Superman and you can tackle whatever is thrown your way. Guess what people, I’m not that guy, I don’t want to be that person anymore; it leads to a massive amount of stress that just pulls and yanks at you until you can’t take it anymore. You want to scream, you want to shout, you want to break a window or two. The frustration is building up inside of you, and some way, somehow, you have to find a way to release it, however, things have to be constructive people.

Don’t allow your frustrations to get the best of you. I was having this debate with a bunch of family members over the weekend, about those who are reaching retirement age and those who haven’t quite reached that pinnacle yet, but are still working jobs that they don’t totally enjoy, but they have to do what they have to do to ensure their survival and to provide for their family. I have come to realize that when I’m over stressed it can place me in a situation where my health is impacted. Yes, one would like to believe that stress and health aren’t related, but they are indeed linked people.

Work is stressful, and finding a way to manage that stress is no easy task, but it always starts with knowing your limitations. Feeling a need to impress your boss by going above and beyond when it only leaves you more on edge and seems to create more problems is not the key. I’m realizing that it’s okay to let others handle problems, even if they aren’t totally skilled at them. They have to learn one way or another if they are expected to be part of a team.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “biting off more than one can chew” and there is a reason that saying is so important. If you’re chewing too much, you’ll choke. The same applies to life, the more you attempt to do without taking a breather, the more likely you are to suffer as a result. Do what can be done and let others handle the rest.