Knowing When to Say “That’s Enough For Now”

“Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices." – Betsy Jacobson, Author and Businesswoman

Early in my career, I admired a veteran colleague who remained calm despite the daily chaos of medical practice. After a particularly grueling stretch, I asked him how he stayed grounded.  He smiled and said, “Because I know when to say, ‘that’s enough for now.’”  He shared how, in his early years, he had chased every accolade, given endless time to patients, written meticulous notes, and always said yes to coverage requests. It wasn’t until he missed his son’s high school graduation for what seemed like a “good cause” that he realized it was time to reexamine his choices – not as a compromise but rather a declaration of his evolving priorities.    

In medicine, we celebrate achievement, relentless dedication, and selflessness—often at great personal cost. How do we define what is “enough” and what is “good enough”—enough work, enough success, enough time, enough giving of ourselves?  For many, the drive to do more can lead to remarkable contributions but also to burnout and imbalance. Learning to recognize when we have enough, have done enough, and are enough is essential to sustaining not only our careers but also our well-being.

The concept of "work/life balance" isn’t new, but it’s not something we learn in training.   Studies show that professionals who set clear limits around work and personal life experience lower rates of burnout and higher levels of job satisfaction.  But what does “enough” look like in a busy clinical practice?  This will vary based on values, priorities, goals and competing demands.  It will vary day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year.  When my children were younger, “enough” meant something different than it does now.  With my colleague’s guidance those many years ago, it immediately translated into shorter, more focused charting, acceptance that more time with patients and students did not automatically translate into “better” care or teaching, and questioning many of my “have to” scripts.  I still said yes to many things, but I did so with intention and joy rather than a sense of obligation or duty.

Indeed, my colleague’s words sparked a shift in me. I realized that work was driving my life rather than the other way around. Reprioritizing meant embracing time with loved ones, protecting my emotional and physical health, and recognizing that saying no wasn’t a failure—it was a way to say more meaningful yeses. This shift didn’t diminish my dedication; it enhanced it. By focusing on what truly mattered, I showed up more fully for the things I chose to do. And I’m still learning.

So, I invite you to reflect: What does “enough” look like for you in the many aspects of your professional life?  Are you giving more than you can sustain or chasing goals that no longer align with your values?  Take time to evaluate your priorities and set boundaries that honor them. Saying “This is enough” isn’t about settling—it’s about creating your own definition of success. It’s not about never going the extra mile but about choosing when and why you do.  Remember, your greatest impact doesn’t come from doing the most but from doing what matters most.  And that’s enough for now ....