The real downside of wanting it all

You may not be buying this title. It feels risky to even put it out there! There is so much hype out there today about having a abundant life in all areas and so many more people who can offer you help to “create the business and life of your dreams”. I am sure in moments of total euphoria, I have claimed it as well. It is possible … sometimes. But to actually be on a high, have it all, have no worries and to achieve more and more forever and ever at all time is not the total truth.

There are trade-offs to every choice and use of our energy.

Always. The realist in me is powerful these days as I am moving past the start-up phase of my business and I am ruminating over my next goals and commitments and what I want the next five years to look like. This question didn’t even come up until last month while on my 3 1/2 week vacation to California and Mexico when I realized that leading up to that trip I had been working on my last five years of goals (I made some clear ones in 2007) and those had all been achieved. The realist wanted to be part of this goal development because of what I went through a few months ago.

I hit a huge wall when I realized I wanted EVERYTHING – right now.

I wanted to spend lots of time with my son and husband; I wanted to stay physically active; I wanted to double my income; I wanted to become more involved in community organizations; I wanted to travel more. When I got slammed with a terrible cold in November that lasted for an unprecedented length of time I finally figured out that I was stretched too thin by all of my wants. It just wasn’t possible to focus on my son, my business growth, my health, my community, my network, my finances and my home with such intensity at the same time.

Some of my focus areas weren’t compatible as top priorities at the same time.

And so then I had to choose. And, of course, I chose family and lifestyle over money. And my health had to come before my business and community. It felt good to slow down and get real with what is really important to me. I actually felt lucky to recognize that.

Then do you know what happened? The business grew, the money flowed steadily and the people showed up to support me and my event, ubizo, and it was a huge success. Those results showed up because if you are working at it, trying new things, getting support and putting yourself out there, they always do show up. But they mean nothing when the core stuff isn’t there.

So whether you are feeling a bit lost, scared, challenged, exuberant or on top of the world, take some time to reconnect with what you really want from your deepest, purest level and stay committed to those core desires and the rest, all the secondary stuff, will follow.