Plenty of folks would look at my plate (interests/projects/dreams) and say that I say yes to too many things.
I’ve always been someone who has been interested in many subjects. Art, music, sports, exercise, technology, learning, etc. I also occasionally feel slightly envious of the people who can stick in one lane for most of their lives (for example, just graphic design). But I enjoy too many things to be that kind of person.
But you can’t do everything (at least not all at once 😜). So there’s always a matter of which pursuits to spend your time on.
I try to say yes to as much as I can tolerate without sacrificing health or quality. And if I walk outside of that tolerance range I rebalance.
Right now I’m less concerned about quantity and more about quality. Meaning, how can I say yes more to the right things (and no to the wrong things) instead of saying yes to things that don’t matter?
Ultimately what we decide is worth our time comes down to each of us. A question I ask myself is what I’ve found helpful is “would I regret not doing this in a year (or five years) from now?” Or said the opposite way, “would I regret saying yes to this after a year has passed?”
Pay attention to where you’re answers are coming from. Make sure they are coming from the heart and not from your wallet or from someone else’s mouth. Not that there is anything wrong with making money or following the path of another great leader—quite the contrary. And yet still. When it comes to making important decisions, make sure you know why or why not you’re saying yes.
Think of a decision like it’s not yours but a close friend making them. What would you advise them? Would you give them the same advice that you are giving yourself?
Consider all sides. And at the end of the day, if it turned out to be a bad call, then learn from it. Mistakes are scars earned. They can be something we try to hide and ignore, or something we learn from and wear like a badge that tells a story for others.
Remember that every yes is taking time away from some other potential opportunity. If you say yes to one thing, you are simultaneously saying no to others.
At the end of the day, all we have is our decisions. And not a whole lot of time in the grand scheme of the Universe.
Weigh your decisions with time in mind. And don’t give away your yes’s to things (or people) that aren’t worth it to you.
STAY BOLD, Keep Pursuing— Josh Waggoner | Daily Blog #1867
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