“You can do anything, but not everything.” –David Allen

Every day we are confronted with choices. Lots of choices. In fact, there is almost a limitless set of things we could choose to do. But although we have the opportunity do so many things, there is one thing we will never be able to do: everything.

Whatever we choose to do is going to take up time. And since time is a finite resource — we only have so much of it — there are only so many things we can do in a day. Simply put, we can’t do everything.

And we all know this. But it’s good to be reminded of it from time to time. Otherwise, we may grow frustrated when we’re not doing all the things we want to do. It also keeps us mindful of the fact that whatever we choose to do will take up time from something else — which is why it’s important to choose wisely.

The good news in all this is that at least we get to choose. No, we can’t do everything, but at least we can do something. And that choice is up to us.