Like a lot of us, I started having symptoms in my late teens, which means that my college career and professional career haven't lived up to the promise that my IQ and high school career suggested.
About 15 years ago, I was working a fairly demanding job in technical marketing and a friend asked me if I would teach some evening writing courses in a college program that he led. I didn't even think twice. My job, and teaching Sunday school twice a month, was a "full load" for me. I said no.
My friend, who was juggling a full-time job, a part-time job, and a family of five, was startled, then said:
"Oh come on. You can do more than you think you can."
I wasn't ready to disclose about my health -- we didn't know each other that well -- but the reality was that I was doing exactly as much as I could without risking:
- meltdown from too much stress or
- failure to follow through on a commitment when depression hit
Over the years, I've continued to take on time- and effort-limited commitments outside work that will limit the chances I will fail others. I've turned down board memberships and a board chairmanship. I focus on off-the-job activities that are not "stretches" because my job and family activities involve as much stretch as I can handle.
Anyone else getting comfortable with their limitations?
