What I Don't Do

Some time ago, I read a post by Seth Godin that stuck with me. It's about the way people fall into a trap of trying to stand for something while also trying to please everyone or do everything.

You can't be the low-price, high-value, wide-selection, convenient, green, all-in-one corner market. Sorry.

You can't be the work-smart, life-in-balance, available-at-all-hours, high-output, do-what-you're-told employee.

To really stand for something, you must make difficult decisions, mostly about what you don't do...It's so hard to stand up, to not compromise, to give up an account or lose a vote or not tell a journalist what they want to hear.

But those are the only moments where standing for something actually counts, the only times that people will actually come to believe that you in fact actually stand for something.

He was speaking largely about brands and organizations, but this made me think about my own life, how difficult it is to do everything, please everyone.

So here it is.

As much as I'd like to, I'll never bake the best lemon meringue pie on the block. I'll never be the kind of wife that has dinner on the table at 6. I'll never tend to a garden. I'll never be the type of person who enjoys a long, leisurely bubble bath. I will probably never read War and Peace.

I'll never be a good shopper. I'll never know what the most fashionable purses are. I'll always put my dry-clean-only items in the wash, ruining some but finding out that the others? Totally machine washable. I'll always leave forgotten half-empty glasses of water around the house.

I'll never give up Coca-Cola. I'll never like tomatoes.

My children, if I have them, will probably go to daycare or have a nanny, at least for part of the day. I probably will never like Christmas shopping, but I will begrudgingly participate in it every year.

I'll never be top of my class.

I'll never respond to every email.

I'll probably never own a dog.

We can't be everything. And, you know? It feels good to finally admit it. It makes focusing on the things I truly want to do, the things I stand for, all the more possible.

Comments

[Sarah]

This post is the best I have ever read. It is so true and I really needed to hear that. There is always a give and take in everything. I am glad to hear that I am not the only person that feels this way. You are a great blogger and always fashionable!

[Jennifer]

Just for the record, I think you are highly fashionable. And I'm pretty sure someone could quote me in high school saying something like, "I want all of her clothes!"

[leah]

this is all so true of alot of us, so many I identify with!This is great, and I appreaciate your openess!! ;) LA

[Michelle]

Janet, you're my hero!

[Amanda]

I really like this post. I too, will never have dinner ready by 6. and so on, but I'm happy the way I am. =)

[Amanda]

I agree with Sarah you are highy fashionable. You have great style.

[Jen]

Ha! A lot of your "I nevers" are the very reasons I adore you so much. Dinner by 6...that's for suckers...

[Nicole]

I think this is fantastic! And you have so many wonderful gifts that I am glad you are focused on them. xo

[Charmarie]

For some people it's hard to admit they are human :) I'm guilty. Excellent post.

[Zandria]

And all of those reasons are why I LIKE YOU. :)