Start Fewer Things
Why Chasing Everything at Once Leaves You With Nothing
There are seasons in my life where I try to take on everything.
It usually hits me out of nowhere, this intense need to overhaul my life all at once. I’ll decide I want to start working out again, learn piano, build a business, get serious about writing, become the best dad in the world, read more, eat clean, meditate daily, maybe even learn a new language, because why not? We’ve only got one life, right?
Before I know it, I’ve bought new equipment, signed up for memberships, subscribed to online courses, downloaded twelve apps, and built out some dashboards. It feels like momentum. But if I’m being honest, it’s usually more like panic in disguise.
This never starts from a place of calm. It usually happens when I feel stuck, like I’m treading water in both my personal and professional life. That sense of stagnation builds up until it explodes into a frenzy of “solutions” that all involve me doing more. And fast.
But here’s the problem: doing more isn’t the same as doing better.
I start strong. For a few days (sometimes even a week), I’m energized. Waking up early. Checking boxes. Feeling like I’m finally “maximizing my potential.” But it never lasts. Eventually, one of the new habits slips. Then another. And suddenly the whole thing unravels. I don’t just lose momentum, I get discouraged.
And to make matters worse, I’ve spent a bunch of money along the way. Equipment that gathers dust. Subscriptions I forget to cancel. A reminder that the whole cycle wasn’t just emotionally draining, it was financially wasteful too.
So if you’re someone who also gets caught in this trap of trying to optimize everything at once, here’s something I’ve been trying instead. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t give you that same “new life incoming” dopamine hit. But it works.
The “Too Much” Detox Plan
1. List it all out
Write down everything you’ve been thinking about taking on. Big or small. Fitness goals, business ideas, hobbies, habits, routines. Don’t hold back, get it all out of your head and onto paper (or a Notes app or whiteboard, if you're like me).
There’s something about seeing it all laid out that makes it easier to spot what’s unrealistic.
2. Pick your top 5
This is the hard part. You have to choose. What are the five most important things you want to do right now? This doesn’t mean you’re giving up on everything else forever, just that you’re choosing focus for now.
And don’t forget to include things you’re already doing that you want to keep doing. If you’ve got a workout routine, or you’re spending time with your kids in the evenings, or building something on the side, those count. They take time and energy, and they should be factored in just like any new habit.
3. Fit it into your real life
Once you have your top 5, figure out:
When you’ll do each one
Where it fits in your day or week
How long it realistically takes
Try to build a routine around your life, not on top of it. The goal is sustainability, not burnout.
If you can’t find the time without sacrificing sleep or peace of mind, that’s a signal. You either need to scale something back or delay starting until your schedule opens up. It’s better to move slowly and stick with it than to sprint for a week and burn out.
I’m not perfect at this. I still get swept up in the “do more” trap. I still feel that pressure, the one that whispers you’re behind or you’re wasting time. But I’m learning that chasing ten things at once is often just a distraction from doing the one or two things that really matter.
Sometimes, ambition masks impatience.
Sometimes, busyness disguises fear.
And sometimes, the best thing you can do is less, but with more intention.
So if you’re in one of those frantic phases right now, if your Amazon cart is full of self-improvement gear, or you’re signing up for three new platforms hoping one of them will change your life, take a breath.
You don’t need to do everything.
You just need to do a few things well. Repeatedly. With care.
And the rest? It can wait.