As we close out 2021 and look forward to 2022 and what will be our third year in the new COVID-19 world, I decided it was essential for me to confront my constant struggle with “capacity.” Our new virtual normal has added another layer to the work-life dynamic, with the already blurred lines between work and personal life continuing to fade, as I read emails from the couch and attend court hearings from my dining room table. With COVID-19 still here for the foreseeable future, identifying where I succeeded and where I went wrong these past two years in managing my workload and expectations is essential to making both professional and personal progress in the new year. While everyone works differently, I am hopeful that some of my thoughts and strategies will be helpful to others in the coming year.

Whatever you call it—capacity, bandwidth, or, more pointedly, time—we are constantly approached about whether we have “it.” Earn a reputation for being competent and reliable, and the requests come more frequently and from all directions. Too often our answer to this question is based upon the perceived opinions and expectations of others, in particular decision-makers and people who can offer access to career-building experiences and opportunities, and not on our actual availability, both physical and mental, to take on more work.