The word priority was singular for 500 years—what does priorities mean—'many many first things.'

I'd rather be honest and lose than be dishonest and win

Take a deep breath. Get present in the moment and ask yourself what is important this very second.

If it isn't a clear yes, then it's a clear no.

The word priority came into the English language in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing. It stayed singular for the next five hundred years. Only in the 1900s did we pluralize the term and start talking about priorities. Illogically, we reasoned that by changing the word we could bend reality. Somehow we would now be able to have multiple “first” things.

We often think of choice as a thing. But a choice is not a thing. Our options may be things, but a choice—a choice is an action. It is not just something we have but something we do.

Essentialism: only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.