You Can Have It All
You Can Have It All
You Can Have It All was written on March 22, 2024. It is the second of five popular essays from 2024’s Thin Slices, a subscriber-only segment of the Wiley Weekly Newsletter.
Each essay was first available to Wiley subscribers. You can subscribe to the Wiley Subscription for access to all essays here.
One of the most enriching aspects of my life is my friendships. I care very deeply about investing in my friendships and infusing them with support, joy, honesty, and vulnerability.
Last night, I had dinner with three of my closest girlfriends. As they typically do, they asked me about Wiley Canning Company, my short-term goals, and my far-reaching dreams. I shared it all, and I explained how I am constantly engaged with feelings of inspiration and impatience as a business owner.
“I want to launch this product now.”
“I feel inspired to host this workshop now.”
“I wish I could hire this person now.”
These desires themselves, I believe, are highly valuable. This hunger is what drives me. I do not wish to squander it.
It is also true that these desires, this hunger, must remain bonded to reality. In moments when I feel a strong appetite to launch, host, hire, and more, I say to myself:
“I can have it all, but I can’t have it all at once.”
I don’t want it all at once. I wish to build Wiley Canning Company brick by brick.
I write down every short-term goal and every far-reaching dream. I take them very seriously; I honor them and do not forget them. I choose carefully where to incrementally direct my attention, day to day. Wiley Canning Company has grown, and will grow, brick by brick due to this hunger and will, over time, experience launches, workshops, team members, and more. Wiley Canning Company can have it all, but it can’t have it all at once.
I encourage us all to apply this to areas of our lives beyond our careers.
“I want to take this trip now.”
“I feel inspired to wear this outfit now.”
“I wish I could share this experience with my child now.”
Allow this appetite for life to drive you. You can have it all. But, you can’t have it all at once. Brick by brick, dear friends. Brick by brick.
This week, I wish you thin slices of expansion.