We can't be everything to everyone!

By Kerryn Vaughan

7th April 2021

Typically, we have 4 days off over Easter. Some will celebrate their faith and whatever it is that Easter represents in that realm. Others will focus on the Easter Bunny fairytale. Others will have nothing to do with it, and some oppose it.

Nobody is right or wrong - it just is what it is to each of us personally.

For me, the few days off is a chance to down tools and take the time to breathe. 

But I went into the Easter break practically holding my breath as I was feeling like I was being pulled in multiple directions.

I became annoyed because all I wanted to do was spend time with those I love, and I felt there was just too much outstanding that was tearing me away from them.

My partner of course empathised with my predicament and asked the simple but profound question ‘what of all that stuff absolutely HAS to be done?’.

This halted me in my tracks.

The truth? Very little of it HAD to be done in the next few days. A lot of it was just me trying to be super responsive and not wanting to appear lazy or inconsiderate.

I also needed to say NO to a few things; something I often struggle with although I am getting better at it.

But why was this question so profound?

Because it made me surrender to the fact that you can’t be everything to everyone.

Sometimes you just have to let things go and focus on the things that are helping you move in the right direction.

I often ask myself the question - ‘Is it ON the way or IN the way?’

However, it seems I’d forgotten to do that too recently.

Perhaps we have a nutty switch inside of us that triggers whenever our routines are derailed, like these customary holidays.

Perhaps we need to learn to breath and make our own happiness a priority.

Perhaps we just need to say NO.

Here’s to only being some things to some people -  the right people!

Kerryn Vaughan is the author of ‘Magnificent Kids!’ and ‘Get Off The Bench!’, founder of One Planet Classrooms, co-founder of Girls With Hammers, and host of Get Off The Bench Podcast.

Kerryn is also a DISC ADVANCED® accredited consultant.