How to do Everything

"I guess I'm going to have to get used to the idea that I can't do everything I want to do," my coaching client said.

At first, I didn't say anything about this, and we continued talking. His statement stuck in my mind, so much so that, a few seconds later, I stopped him in mid-sentence. "Wait a minute," I said, "why, exactly, can't you do everything?"

The question startled us both, really, but as we discussed it, we discovered that it *is* possible to do "everything" you want to do, if you keep the following points in mind...

1. You can do everything, but not all at once.

The biggest obstacle I find keeping individuals from accomplishing all that they want to do, is that they try to do too much all at once. Their wish-list of goals and activities gets longer and longer, and each item is given the same priority: ASAP!

Despite what we've been led to believe in our modern age of multi-tasking computers and mega-time-saving devices, gizmos, and gadgets, most people can only do one thing at a time.

2. You can do everything, if it's important enough to you to do.

When reviewing people's lists of "everything" they want to do, I find that many of us have items and activities that ended up on our lists by default. We added them because somebody else said we should do them or because we thought, at the time, they'd be important... only now they're not.

If it's truly important to you, you'll find the time and way to do it. If it's not important, you'll keep avoiding, postponing and procrastinating about it. If that's the case, scratch it off your list and move on.

3. You can do everything, but you may not be the BEST at everything.

If your goal is to be the BEST in every field of endeavor you're trying to pursue then chances are you're setting yourself up for disappointment. This is especially true if you have many diverse areas of interest.

For example, you may have goals in the areas of entrepreneurship, writing, politics, and singing. While it's possible you might create a very successful retail business while writing a best-selling novel, getting elected a state senator, and releasing a top-of-the-charts album of your favorite t.v. theme show songs, it's not very probable.

Strive, work hard, and apply yourself at every activity, but keep in mind that being the best requires a great deal of time, focus, and energy that you may not be able to commit if you're going in 100 different directions.

4. You can do everything, but there will be limitations.

Every activity, every goal, brings it's own set of limiting factors that will effect your participation. Things like time, health, money, age, sex, weather, policies, etc. Some of these are changeable, some are not.

5. You can do everything, but not by yourself.

Oh, you can try, but the more you attempt to do, the more help you'll need to get it all done.

Success is rarely a solo adventure. Surround yourself with successful, encouraging, and uplifting people who will inspire and support you as you pursue your dreams. After all, once you make your dreams come you, you'll want to share them with someone.