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I sometimes wish there were more hours in a day. Not because I manage my time poorly, but because my mind overflows with ideas, plans, and ambitions. For me, it’s often tempting to do everything at once: take a new course, write (another!) book, achieve a new sports goal, and in between, launch a new program from scratch. But is that even possible?
The issue isn’t a lack of motivation or interest, but the impossibility of doing everything with the same level of intensity at the same time. We jump from one thing to another, get excited about a new idea, and leave another half-finished. This can lead to frustration, a sense of failure, or the feeling that you’re never doing enough—when, in reality, you often achieve more than the average person.
Scientific research supports this phenomenon. The theory of executive functions (Miyake et al., 2000) states that cognitive control mechanisms such as task management and flexibility are essential for effective functioning. In gifted individuals, but also in those with ADHD, the speed of thinking and broad interests are often greater than the capacity to switch effectively between tasks. This can lead to cognitive overload and reduced productivity.
Additionally, research on "goal-setting theory" (Locke & Latham, 1990) highlights that clear and achievable goals are essential for motivation and performance. However, having too many goals at once can have the opposite effect and lead to mental exhaustion.
Prioritization
So what helps? Setting priorities. Choosing what is most important right now and accepting that other things will have to wait. Not easy, but necessary. Think about what you truly want to complete and focus your attention on that. Use time-blocking, work in focused sessions, and be realistic about what is achievable.
To tackle this effectively, it can be helpful to create a priority list where you write down your ideas and determine which ones are most important based on feasibility and impact. Additionally, the Pomodoro technique—where you alternate short, focused work sessions with planned breaks—can help complete tasks without mental overload. Multitasking should be minimized as much as possible, as research has shown it reduces efficiency (Rubinstein, Meyer & Evans, 2001).
It’s also beneficial to maintain an idea bank, where you jot down ideas to revisit later without feeling pressured to act on them immediately. Lastly, it’s crucial to be kind to yourself: not everything needs to happen now, and some projects can wait—and that’s completely okay.
And perhaps most importantly: allow yourself not to do everything at once. You don’t need to act on every idea immediately. You don’t have to chase every passion right away. Save some things for later.
Do you recognize this pattern in yourself? I’d love to explore with you how you can create more peace of mind while still pursuing the things that matter most to you.
