When you constantly see ads or social posts that tell you “you can have it all,” it’s easy to feel frustrated when we can’t do everything at once. But here’s the truth: you can have all the things you want—but probably not at the same time. For example: right now, I’m balancing a 9-5 job, raising a 3-year-old and a newborn, and running a growing business. I’d love to dedicate more time to traveling, working out five days a week, or scaling my business to the next level, but in this season of life, I have to choose where my energy goes. If you’re feeling stretched thin—whether it’s between family, work, fitness, or other goals—just remember: life happens in phases. Instead of feeling like you need to do everything now, shift your mindset to making slow, intentional progress toward your long-term vision. Here’s how:
How to Prioritize and Make Progress Over Time
1. Set Priorities for Your Current Season. Think of your life as a game with different levels. Right now, you might be in the “parenting young kids” phase or the “grinding in my career” phase. It’s impossible to be at 100% in every area of life all at once, so pick 1-2 areas to focus on and give yourself grace in the others. Maybe your current priority is growing your career. That might mean shorter workouts or less social time, but once you reach stability at work, you can shift your focus elsewhere.
2. Embrace Small Wins Instead of All-or-Nothing Thinking. Too often, we fall into the trap of thinking, “if I can’t do it perfectly, I shouldn’t do it at all.” But progress doesn’t require perfection—small, consistent steps lead to big results. For example, if fitness is your goal, but you can’t make it to the gym five days a week, start with 10-minute home workouts or daily walks. Small movements still move you forward.
3. Automate What You Can. We only have so much mental energy in a day. The more you automate and simplify, the easier it becomes to stay consistent. If financial growth is a goal, set up automatic transfers to your savings or investment accounts—even if it’s just $10 a week. Over time, those small deposits add up.
4. Plan for Future Phases. Just because something isn’t possible right now doesn’t mean it won’t happen later. Keep a running list of goals and schedule check-ins every few months to adjust your focus. For instance, if traveling isn’t in the budget now, create a “future travel fund” where you slowly save up for when the timing is right.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Pivot. Life changes, and so will your priorities. Be flexible and allow yourself to shift focus when needed. If you’re in a season of new parenthood and struggling to work out, that doesn’t mean fitness is off the table forever. Your time will come.
You don’t have to do everything today, this month, or even this year. What matters is that you’re moving forward. Success isn’t about doing it all at once—it’s about choosing what matters most right now and making intentional progress over time.