7 Things Successful People Do To Have It All
This past weekend, it rained. It rained hard.
The kind of rain that’s so bad that you can rationalize a Netflix binge without batting an eye. And since I had already finished OITNB, it was time to rebinge (is that a word?) on 30 Rock.
If you haven’t watched the show:
- You should.
- It’s about Liz Lemon, the head writer for a sketch-comedy show who is trying to “have it all.” That is-she is trying to balance her work life with her personal life. She tries hard, but she sucks at it. Hilarity ensues.
- In case you have not watched it, I’m littering this post with quotes. You’re welcome.
Back to the subject at hand. 30 Rock got me asking myself “What do people do to ‘Have it All?’” Do I have it all? Do I want it all? What is “it all?” (Yes, when I’m stuck inside my apartment, I tend to get neurotic.)
No matter how you define whatever priorities matter to you most (kids, career, health, access to an all-night taco stand), there are 7 things successful people do to have it all. So get ready to say
“Yes to love, yes to life, yes to staying in more!”
7 Things Successful People Do To Have It All
1. They Define Success on Their Own Terms.
Before starting Aligned Holistics, I thought success meant having a fancy title, a corner office, and a paycheck the size of Texas. And because of that conditioned narrow view, it took years for me to discover that success, to me, meant freedom.
- Freedom to choose how I spend my time and with whom.
- Freedom to express myself in a way that feels true to me.
- Freedom to Skype my clients while wearing sweatpants.
The point is that until you know exactly what success means to you, you aren’t going to achieve it.
“I believe that all anyone really wants in this life is to sit in peace and eat a sandwich.”
2. They Choose Where to Invest Their Energy.
Simply put, people who have it all aren’t running on autopilot. They are consciously choosing to invest their time, energy, and money on the things that help them to feel happy, fulfilled, and energized.
“I’m gonna get the wedding dress, and then I’m gonna have a baby, and then I’m gonna die and I’m gonna meet a super cute guy in heaven.”
3. They Schedule Their Priorities Instead of Prioritizing Their Schedule.
I see this a lot with my clients. They fill their calendars with meetings, errands, obligations to others, and then wonder where their time goes. They’ve filled days, weeks, even years without accomplishing any of the priorities that matter to them or turning any of their dreams into actions. So what should you do instead? Prioritize based on your goals, making sure you touch on the big tickets items (like starting that business) and the crappy tasks (like starting that laundry) each day. To learn more, click here.
“And now I am heading home for a nooner—which is what I like to call having pancakes for lunch.”
4. They Prioritize Self-Care
People who have it all put themselves first. Not in a selfish way, but in a I-Respect-Myself-Too-Much-Not-To-Honor-My-Needs kinda way. And no, it doesn’t mean you need to turn off your phone and disappear on a yoga retreat (though it wouldn’t hurt). It can be as simple as committing to a morning meditation, an afternoon walk, or an evening cup of tea. Carving out time for yourself, in whatever form it takes, is a simple act of self-love and self-care.
“Why are my arms so weak? It’s like I did that push-up last year for nothing.”
5. They set boundaries.
Fact: Sometimes people suck. They ask to borrow your car (again), they don’t return the only working office stapler to your desk, or they simply fill your time with negativity. People who have it all got it all because they asked for it all. They shed their codependent ways and honor their needs enough to express their boundaries in a loving and respectful way.
“When you have a serious offer, email me at tater tot freak at hotmail dot com.”
6. They accept responsibility.
People who have it all, own it all. They are willing to take ownership of every area of their life. If something’s not working, they don’t blame others and they don’t play the martyr. Instead, they take responsibility. We accept what we think we deserve. And those who have it all know they deserve love, happiness, and respect.
“I’ll start my own group. Rejection from society is what created the X-Men.”
7. They cultivate gratitude.
They focus on what they have instead of what they don’t have. Because not only does this condition our brains to attract more of the good stuff, it also allows us to approach the world from a place of abundance instead of lack. And abundance, in any form, is akin to having it all.
“Who’s got two thumbs, speaks limited French and hasn’t cried once today? This moi.”
Or, when in doubt, follow this generally awesome life advice:
“I pretty much just do whatever Oprah tells me to.”