It’s an easy habit to fall into, especially when we feel obligated to help, support, or respond to every little thing thrown our way.
One of my favorite books, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson, beautifully illustrates this with a simple but powerful idea: “If someone throws you a ball, you don’t have to catch it.” This concept is a game-changer when it comes to protecting your time, energy, and focus.
The Habit of Catching Every Ball
Many of my clients struggle with this. They feel compelled to take on every request, problem, or expectation that comes their way, often without realizing they have a choice. From a time management perspective, this is where the 4 Ds—Delete, Delegate, Defer, and Do—come into play. Specifically, learning to delete (or say “no”) is a skill that can prevent unnecessary stress and keep you focused on what truly matters.
Let’s say you’re in the middle of a deep-focus task when a colleague calls, needing to vent about a frustrating meeting. Instead of letting the call go to voicemail or telling them you’ll check in later, you immediately drop what you’re doing to listen. What happens next? You lose momentum on your work, spend the next hour trying to regain focus, and may even feel resentful for the disruption.
The Power of Choice
But, honestly, you don’t have to catch every ball that’s thrown your way. You can let some of them drop. And guess what? The world will keep turning.
This doesn’t mean you stop helping others or ignore responsibilities—it means you choose when and where to direct your energy. You prioritize intentionally instead of reacting impulsively.
The next time you feel that pull to immediately respond to an email, answer a call, or take on someone else’s problem, ask yourself:
- Do I actually need to deal with this right now?
- Is this a priority for me, or am I absorbing someone else’s urgency?
- What’s the impact if I handle this later—or not at all?
By making these small shifts, you gain more control over your time, reduce unnecessary stress, and create space for what truly matters.
Setting Boundaries with Confidence
If you struggle with saying no, setting boundaries, or feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands on your time, I can help. Together, we’ll develop strategies that allow you to focus on your priorities while maintaining balance.
Book a free 30-minute chat with me here, and let’s start working towards a more intentional, stress-free approach to managing your time and energy.
