The Hard Truth: We CAN’T Do It All

I hate to break it to you but it’s true.

Maybe once upon a time when the world was less busy and complicated, when we didn’t have thousands of things being thrown at us daily, maybe then, people were able to “do it all.”

But the world has changed since then, and we are immersed in a time where there is more information, communication and demands placed on us than ever before, and everybody wants things done…now.

So it’s not a wonder that so many of us feel rushed, pressured, overwhelmed and overworked- at work, at home and even when we try to fit in our other activities, like exercise. It’s a balance and a struggle that can be so hard to manage.

So no, I don’t believe that we can do it all, but what I do believe is that we can learn to choose carefully and prioritize the most important things. How do we choose what is most important? If you’re not sure of how to select your priorities, try using this filter. Ask yourself these three questions when deciding if to keep something in your life or not:

1. Is it necessary?

Certain things are necessary for us in today’s world. For most of us, we have to work to put food on the table so we can survive. As a result, our jobs and sources of income are necessary. What responsibilities are necessary for you to keep in order to provide the life you want for yourself and your loved ones?

2. Do I love it?

What are some things that bring so much joy into your life that you are unwilling to let them go? This could be things like family dinners, hobbies, vacations etc.

3. Where will I plan this in?

At the end of the day, we all get the same 24 hours. When you have decided on the things that you want to keep in your life, plan them in and act on them. Very often we get caught up in life’s busyness and the things that matter most, get pushed to the side.

This exercise can be challenging in the beginning, especially if there are a lot of things we want to do, or maybe we feel bad to disappoint others that want us to do things, but when we can learn to take control and take responsibility for our time, we end up less stressed and more relaxed.

With practice, the decision of what to choose will get easier as we learn to balance the different aspects of our lives.

Bit by bit, we can also learn strategies for maximizing our time, clarifying our vision for our life and letting go of the rest.

So no, we can’t do it all, but we can choose wisely, carefully and joyfully the most important things we want to include in our lives.

Until next time, happy choosing!