When in Doubt, Order Out (and Other Lessons in Letting Go)

Let me start by asking you this: What’s it costing you to try and do it all?

Your peace? Your presence? Your ability to enjoy the very moment you’re trying to perfect?

We’ve been conditioned—especially as women—to believe that the value of a meal lies in how much sweat we put into cooking it. That love is measured in casserole dishes, crust from scratch, and perfectly browned turkey. But let me be clear: there is no shame in ordering out.

I say this as someone who actually enjoys cooking—when I choose to. But let’s be honest, the thought of coordinating a full holiday meal makes me want to run the other direction. Some people fear public speaking. Others hate shots or roller coasters. Me? I break into a cold sweat when someone pulls out the turkey decorations. I love a spontaneous happy hour, friends gathered around the kitchen island, wine flowing, snacks being shared. That’s my vibe. But turn that casual meal into a high-pressure Thanksgiving sit-down with 20 people in a small house? Yeah… I’m out. Stress shows up early. Chaos doesn’t knock. And just to top it off—black water starts bubbling out of the sink like it’s making its own entrance. (True story. Don’t ask.)

And yet—we do it to ourselves. We say yes. We push through. We pour the wine. We smile tightly. But why?

Because somewhere along the way, we started believing that doing it all equaled doing it right.

Here’s the truth: You don’t have to do it all.

That truth doesn’t just apply in the kitchen. It applies to business, too—especially as an entrepreneur. The checklist to launch and grow a business is never-ending: content, marketing, lead generation, website updates, email funnels, database cleanups… and that’s before you even get to the part where you actually do what you love and what you’re great at.

I call it the Funnel Effect.

The Funnel Effect – Trying to Do It All

I don’t do anything halfway. When I commit, it’s all in or go home. Which sounds bold and empowering—until it becomes a trap.

You know the feeling: You wake up ready to conquer your list. But one task turns into three, momentum turns into overwhelm, and the hours slip away without a single satisfying “check.” You pivot to easier tasks, the kind with less friction, and before long, the shame creeps in. You feel behind. You question your pace. Your confidence drops.

When I first launched my speaking business, I fell into that trap hard. I had clarity: define the audience, build the brand, launch the strategy. But instead of focusing on one area, I tried to perfect them all—at the same time. The result? A lot of effort and not enough movement.

Because guess what? To be hired as a speaker, you need to speak. Period. Visibility and credibility don’t come from your perfectly aligned Instagram grid or your color-coded Trello board. They come from doing the thing you’re good at—again and again—in front of people.

So here's the invitation:

Stop trying to be Martha Stewart and Marie Forleo and your own IT department.

Instead, ask yourself:
What are you great at? And what are you willing to delegate, outsource, or just let go of—for the sake of your sanity, peace, and purpose?

Ordering out doesn’t mean you failed the meal.
Hiring help doesn’t mean you’re less capable.
Letting go doesn’t mean giving up.

It means you’re smart enough to know where your energy is best spent. And that kind of wisdom is what actually fuels success—personally and professionally.

So tonight, what’s on your menu?
And more importantly—what’s going to feed your purpose the most?

Like this story? You’re not alone—and there’s more where that came from.

If this resonated with you, you’ll love my book, 6 Steps In The Bright Direction: Your Roadmap to Resilience, Revenue, and Results. It’s packed with honest stories, practical strategies, and encouragement to help you move forward—even when life gets messy.

Grab your copy on Amazon and take your next bright step.

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Let’s stop trying to do it all—and start doing what we do best.