To cancel my plans tomorrow or push through this event?

[Rizzo8]

Months ago I signed up to a networking event for my hobby which I am doing well in/is becoming a viable career option. This event will give me the chance to do an informal 'pitch' version of Dragons Den.

It's not my only option as I've been offered something exciting recently but it might open another door (or not)

Unfortunately my actual full time job has been full on the last two weeks, late nights and early mornings. The house is a mess. Ive been in tears tonight with feeling so tired and ive barely worked on my pitch - i'd say I sort of know it, but its not polished.

So my options are

YABU - to suck it up, get up early and practice

YANBU - you can't do everything, take the day to relax

It just feels too late to make a good go of it. A friend who is going has been messaging every night about how she's been practicing her pitch every day which makes me feel even worse! I simply haven't had time.

I even know I should be sleeping but I'm wired.

If you don't do it will you regret it?

You say your hobby could become a viable career- is this your long term goal? If so then I'd be tempted to say push through and delegate the rest. Only because the period where you're taking off in a self employed capacity is incredibly tough when you're still committed to your day job.

I think what you need to do is circle your wagons. Who can provide you with childcare so you know a break is coming? Who else can clean your house or can you outsource it? Do you have a partner who needs to step up a bit more for right now until you get through this period? Can you delegate some of the work you're doing in your actual job or take leave?

If you wouldn't regret it and you're happy keeping this as a hobby for now then cancel the event.

But either way, it sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends and you need to schedule in some time to refill your cup and look at your time and your support and reassess things to give you some balance.

Ultimately you know what you've got in the tank and you're your own best resource so you need to look after yourself no matter what you decide.

Also just to say you can be over prepared!

Don't let what others are doing put you off. Draw a line under this for now. You won't solve it tonight and you're letting your monkey brain run things right now (ie too tired to function and you're running on adrenaline and stress not grounded logical thinking). Put the phone away, do some breath work and then see how you feel tomorrow. It'll be a new day, you'll have a clear head and you can make a rational decision then.

Thanks @Lavender14

I've already slept one hour later than I should have as I was so tired. I'm still tearful this morning so my mental health isn't great

You're right, as I keep the day job and this takes off it's become too much. I could probably get a cleaner. The issue is my partner works away a lot lately but we might be able to talk and find a solution

I'm considering mentally considering faking it to get through the pitch but I'm not sure how healthy that will be!

The thing is I know a day of pure rest would really help today but on the other hand I could miss an opportunity

I don't think faking it for a single day to get through a pitch is a bad idea.

I do think having a long term situation where you're perma exhausted is.

Do the pitch. Deal with the exhaustion by outsourcing more stuff if possible.

I think, have a hot bath, a strong coffee, a full sugar coke and then go for it.

Just treat it as a try-out. At least you will get some feedback surely?

Good post.

Thank you all for motivating me!

My pitch went well and one of the judges said she's really interested and wants me to take things forward which is more than i expected. Amazing result.

Oh that's fantastic OP, congratulations 🎉

Now I guess it's time to sit down and work out what changes you can make so you can get back to the "balance" part of work-life balance.