The Power of Five
A long time ago, I was told that you can only have five priorities on your plate at a time. And, at the time, I had 11 things: I was working 3 jobs, studying to be a yoga teacher, dancing professionally with a dance company, a boyfriend, friends, family, a dog, and a few other priorities all piled up on top of each other.
So, naturally, I fought back against this “power of five” because I am a superwoman! I can do it all! I never, ever miss a beat!
But, man, was I wrong.
This comment kept me up at night. No, really, it did. I let this “power of five” nag at me. Why? Because it was accurate. I wasn’t Superwoman. I couldn’t do it all. My calendar was a mess. My house was a wreck. My mind was cluttered. And, unbeknownst to me, my anxiety was skyrocketing. All because I had too much on my plate.
Once I realized (slowly, over time... like, years) that this idea of only having five priorities at a time wasn’t actually a load of crap, I finally did something about it.
I shed layers.
It started with letting go of that boyfriend. And then a job. And another job. I added a new job though, so I started saying no to more social events (my friends remain but I protect my “five”). Then I let go of the dance company, added a different job, let go of a few other things and BAM! I felt lighter and unburdened. The raging ocean in my mind calmed and, well, I was finally able to see it. The power of five. I’m still trying to find the perfect balance today, but it’s much more manageable.
It was no easy road, and, like I said, I’m still working on it. As I type these words it’s almost 11pm on a week night, my kids are asleep, and I literally have not stopped moving since my kids woke me up at 7o’clock this morning.
But the big difference between me now and me then? I know I don’t have to be Superwoman. I know I don’t have to do it all. I can move things off my plate and onto the appetizer plate when I need to and, guess what, it’s okay.
My five priorities now are: family, house/pets, work, friends, and myself. Having this clearly written out is so helpful for my own personal boundaries, too (which I could write another blog about). It takes the pressure off when a new priority pops up. I immediately know “yep, that goes to the appetizer plate” or “I need to ask for help in XYZ so I can focus on this new priority temporarily”.
I hope you reflect on your own priority list and, if there are more than five areas listed, ask yourself “is this working for me?” From there you can see where you can give your energy to and where you need to take your energy away from. After all, you are in charge of your peace.
