10 Things “Having It All” Is Not

Yesterday I wrote about Having It All. My conclusion was that everyone's “All” is different. I also believe it is a perspective and not an accumulation of status or accomplishments. Today I want to talk about what Having It All is not.

Having It All is NOT:

1. Working yourself into exhaustion.
2. Climbing the corporate ladder at the expense of yourself and your family.
3. Collecting toys and awards.
4. Creating the perfect children.
5. Volunteering more time than you have.
6. Extending yourself farther than you can reach.
7. Being the best at everything you try.
8. Being in charge of every aspect of your life.
9. Perfecting your image.
10. Always trying to get more.

I firmly believe one of the key aspects of Having It All is a sense of peace with who you are and what you are currently accomplishing. If you are constantly driven to have more, be more, accomplish more and give more, you can't currently Have It All.

I know a woman who I greatly respect. She is laid back and kind while accomplishing the things in her life that are important to her. Her house is lived in, there are books and toys left around where the kids have been and snacks on the counter where the kids have easy access to them. She is neat and clean, but never flashy. She volunteers at the school, she helps out at her church, she visits friends and she always has a smile on her face.

If you ask me, she Has It All, at least she has the "All" she wants. She has chosen what is important to her and she spends her time there. She is relaxed and confident. Her children are relaxed and confident too. She has learned to say No to things that don't meet her goals.

It is about wanting what you have, not just having what you want.  Tomorrow we will talk about what Having It All is and how you can get it.