Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

Yesterday, I was looking at information related to my industry online. As I did, I happened on some data in an area I’ve consulted in, although not for some time. It caught my attention, and I thought to myself, “I can do that.” And for two minutes, I thought about re-connecting with that area and bringing it back into my work with clients. And then I thought, “Wait. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”

We live in the age of “can.” We have more resources, tools, access to information and options than at any time in history. We have so many more “can’s” than ever before. And this is a privilege. And…on another level, a burden. Wading through the sea of “can’s” to focus on what’s truly important, what will truly serve us and what we are working to accomplish (whether starting a new business, healing a damaged relationship, or just getting a good night’s sleep) is a challenge.

Because of access to education, transportation, opportunity, etc., I have expertise in that particular area I considered for two minutes. It’s true, I can do it. Yet—is that a good enough reason to do something? In the past, maybe, as there weren’t a lot of “can’s” available to people. Today—absolutely not.

We have to be so discerning about our choices—how we spend our time, what we choose to put into our bodies, what we choose to put into our minds. There is so much that we “can” do—so many options, many of them good, that it’s easy to lose track of the best one(s) for us.

As you embark on a new week, consider this:

1. Know that there will be many options presented to you this week
   
2. Ask yourself what is really important for you to focus on/accomplish this week (this month/this year)- REALLY important- one to three items
   
3. As choices and options arise, look at them in light of your commitments, and decide accordingly
   

In my case, my commitment, and what’s critical from a professional perspective, is to focus on my core business. So, after two minutes of considering “can,” I remembered that just because I can, doesn’t mean I should. And it became very easy to let that item go.

Whether your focus is professional or personal, give yourself a chance to move beyond the “can’s” this week, and move on what’s truly important to you.