You Really Can Have It All

It’s a question that’s plagued women for years: Can you really have it all?

Many of us have been conditioned to believe that we can’t. That at some point in our lives we need to choose between having a family and a career—or between our career and pursuing our interests and passions.

But this is nothing more than a story that we’ve been telling ourselves for years. When we tell ourselves that it’s not possible to live a balanced life, that’s what we believe.

So here’s the question I’d like to ask you: Do you really want to have it all? Or do you just like the drama of saying ‘I just can’t do it all’?

Sometimes we need to let ourselves off the hook. I’m talking about those days when you have an important work deadline—and it just so happens that your kids need new costumes for a party at school, AND your parent needs help with a household chore ASAP. Sometimes it’s crucial for our emotional health to step back and take things off of our plate so we can relax and recharge.

But if you are constantly wishing that you could change your work schedule, go on more dates with your partner and have more quality time with your kids, it’s time to reevaluate how you are spending your time.

I used to think that I couldn’t have it all. I was raising my kids and struggling to run my business at the same time. I would sit down at my computer but then get so distracted by the laundry. The dogs. The cleaning.

Then one day I sat down and asked myself, “What is my time worth?”

I decided that I wanted to “have it all.” And for me, that meant having a family and a relationship and a business, while also finding time to take care of myself, whether that meant going to the gym, meditating or taking a long hot bath.

Once I figured out what “having it all” meant to me, I was able to schedule my days to accommodate every piece of my life.

So, are you ready to “have it all”? Follow this 2-step process:

1. Define what “having it all” means to you.

You can absolutely have it all! You just need to figure out what that means to you. It looks different for everyone.

Make a list of the activities that you need to do on a typical day. For me this looks something like this:

• • Walk the dogs

• • Take Asher to school

• • Work appointments

• Day-to-day business tasks

Then, make a list of things you want to do on a typical day. This can be things you already do—as well as all those things you wish you had time for. For me, this looks something like this:

• • Affirmations

• • 5 minutes for my spirit

• • Working out

• • Spending time with family

• Relaxing bath

Then, make a list of things you want to do each week. Things like:

• • Go on a date with partner

• • Go out with girlfriends

• • Go to a show / a movie / a new restaurant

• • Take a class

• Work on passion project

2. Schedule it.

I am a BIG believer in putting everything into your calendar. Show me your calendar and I’ll show you your life!

If you don’t schedule it, you won’t do it. And then you’ll still be complaining that you never have time to do what you want in your life.

So, take all of those must-do activities and want-to-dos and come up with a schedule for your typical weekday. Then, add in some special activities for the week.

My typical day at home looks like this:

• Affirmations
• Take Asher to school
• Walk the dogs
• Appointments
• Meditation
• Workout
• 5 minutes for my spirit
• Hunker down and do daily business tasks
• Family time

I have other activities on my calendar throughout the weeks and months, but this is my typical day. It ensures that I have time for my family and work, plus my health and my spirit.

Build out your calendar to ensure that you have time for everything that is important to you!

Once you have everything scheduled, stick to it! No excuses. Honor your commitments to yourself the same way you would honor your commitments to your boss or your friends.

So, how will you schedule your day to make sure you “have it all”? What other ways do you create balance in your life? Drop me a comment and let me know!

Now let’s all forget that idea that you can’t have it all—and focus on creating a life that we love!