…from my trusted staff
One of the first things one thinks of when they think of the royal family may be the throngs of staff members available for any request at any time. Indeed, Queen Elizabeth II does have help to do almost anything she needs. Dressers and wardrobe maintainers, chefs, cleaning staff, footmen, private secretaries, equerries that plan trips, people to take care of her horses, ladies-in-waiting that answer her mail, etc., etc. This staff frees up a lot of her time so she can focus on her duty — being the Sovereign.
It’s good to be honest about the time and energy living life takes and how that will impact whatever else you are doing that you wish to focus on. The Queen can handle her rigorous schedule in part because she doesn’t have to attend to all the details. Maybe you have a staff you can delegate any task to that disrupts your focus. But, I’m guessing you probably don’t. I certainly don’t. Along with my husband, I am chief bottle washer, child-rearer, house maintainer, etc. If the Queen can leverage help, why can’t we? What initially seems like an insurmountable advantage for the wealthiest, can in fact be adapted to our more grounded lifestyles.
First, we have to accept that no one can do everything. If you can’t afford comprehensive help, decide specific tasks you want to delegate and pay or barter for it. The truth is, you may already do this more than you realize. Every time you go out to dinner, or order a package online, or even hire a tax preparer. Most people leverage some form of outsourcing almost daily, the challenge is doing it more effectively to help you better satisfy your duties or interests.
While you may not have the benefit of all the staff the Queen has, you can simplify and ease your tasks and you start by admitting it isn’t possible to do everything. Next, think and identify what may be standing in the way of you getting things done, and identify practical solutions Can you delegate it to a family member? Maybe your spouse actually likes to cook and you hate it. Maybe you can barter child care with a friend so you can both have time to work on your projects (or just sit in a quiet room by yourself…just me?) Maybe you can hire someone to come in and clean or do your taxes. You could also just simplify everything in your life to make space. Many CEOs replicate the benefit of a dresser by having a “uniform” so they don’t have to decide what to wear. Declutter your house so there is less to maintain or just eat the same five meals over and over. The ideas are endless. And at least without a staff you don’t have to worry about being sued by them or your staff selling your personal information to the newspapers!
In eliminating waste, simplifying chores, and streamlining tasks, we find an expanded ability to focus on what we really want or need in life. We manage or eliminate the mundane in order to strive to achieve our purpose. Part of Queen Elizabeth II’s resilience is in having the energy and time to focus on her purpose and achieve her goals without having to spend energy and time on activities that aren’t focused on achieving those results. While we may not have the resources to outsource all distractions and tasks we dislike, we can make strides to reduce extraneous demands on our time and simplify our lives. It is hard to be resilient when we are exhausted. Do not try to do everything.