The Simple Answer
I get asked the same question often enough that lately I’ve put more thought into the answer, with the intention that my answer might be helpful to others or at least portray that I’m not just being sarcastic or rude. Sometimes when the answer is short it seems abrupt or harsh which is absolutely not my intention.
The question is “How do you do it all?”. The person asking has often just discovered that in addition to my already crazy life, I am also the mother to 4 children, three of which are age 7 and under.
Now, the simple answer to the question is, “I have to”, sometimes accompanied by “what choice do I have?”. This may seem funny or rude, insincere or calloused, sarcastic or matter of fact. To me it’s just logical. I mean, at the end of the day I do have to get it all done, unless I’m willing to be complacent. I could, of course, take a few things off my plate but that would make me a quitter and that just isn’t me. I feel inspired to create a legacy and that just takes hard work. I have to do it all because I WANT it all. I want to be a nurturing mother and have a big family. I want to be a supportive wife. I want to be a kick ass entrepreneur and leader to my team. I want to be the best version of myself that is learning and developing daily. I want to make a difference!
I do it all because there are things I DON’T want also. I don’t want to be another failure of a parent whose children are undisciplined brats that resent them well into their adult life. I don’t want to be in an unfulfilling marriage. I don’t want to work for anyone, or be just another employee in a big corporation. I don’t want to be complacent or mediocre with an attitude of indifference.
This is a real mouthful of an answer though, especially to someone I don’t know well. But I could come up with a better answer then “I have to”. I think the answer is still simple though. I do it all because “I love the challenge”! My life is anything but dull. Every day is unique and entertaining, some of course more than others. There are good days and not so good days, but rarely what I would call a BAD day. There are challenges, hardships and frustrations but that’s just life. I love getting to the other side of those things. Each time I learn a new lesson, and discover a better way of handling something. I am a big believer in conflict making you a better person. You can’t learn and develop without some hardship.
I know that not everyone has the current disposition to juggle all of the things I juggle, but I think anyone could, with the help of some simple tools. I have been fortunate enough to have a powerful influence in my life that has molded me into a much better version of myself than I was before. I am convinced that if everyone learned some of the tools I’ve learned to use, we would have a less stressful, happier existence. Thinking about this question led me down this path of discovery. It made me realize that my answer could make a difference to someone. If I can positively influence even one person, I’m further on my way to creating a legacy. I want to be an example for my children of a strong woman that made right choices because they were right, not because they were easy.
If you’re looking for a different way of navigating through life because your current way isn’t serving you well, then check back weekly as we discuss more about this subject, as well as many others.