Growth
2
Even with the best planning habits, the challenge remains: How do I handle the competing priorities that inevitably show up?
One business leader described it this way:
“I can set my priorities in the morning, but by noon, everything has changed. Urgent emails, unexpected fires, shifting team needs. I end up wondering if planning even helps.”
Sound familiar?
Most of us don’t struggle with what to do—we struggle with what to say no to in any given moment. And often, underneath that, there’s an even deeper wrestle:
The fear of missing out.
The fear of letting someone down.
The fear of making the wrong call.
And so we hesitate—or we jump from one thing to the next, constantly adjusting but never feeling settled.
The Tension: Structure vs. Spontaneity
While structure is powerful, life doesn’t always cooperate with our plans. Unexpected conversations, last-minute changes, and unplanned opportunities can be just as valuable—if we make space for them.
Instead of filling every minute of our schedule, what if we intentionally left margin for interruptions and spontaneity?
Someone I know schedules white space into their day—not for mindless scrolling, but to remain available.
They told me: “Some of my best life and leadership moments happen in the unplanned spaces—when someone needs to talk, when an idea sparks, when I have room to think.”
Without this margin, we risk being so locked into our own agendas that we miss the moments that actually matter.
Three Clarifying Questions For A Complex Day (While Leaving Room for the Unexpected)
When competing priorities start pulling you and I in different directions, I’ve found asking myself the following three questions can help me start to focus again.
Clarifying Question 1) What must be done today that can’t be pushed to tomorrow?
This clarifies the non-negotiables. Not everything carries equal weight. Naming what truly must happen today prevents urgent distractions from taking over. I learnt this great question from one of my coaches.
Clarifying Question 2) What do I fear most today that I can take action towards?
Often, the thing we avoid is the thing that matters most—whether it’s a tough conversation, a bold decision, or finally starting something we’ve been procrastinating on. When you have the right frame of mind and support, I find “fear as a compass” can help give you the bold direction you need to take. And the first small bold action, such as telling a trusted one that you will be having a tough conversation today, creates the momentum you need.
Clarifying Question 3) What should I make room for today that could connect to my future?
I recently created this question for myself to help me zoom out. Many daily struggles feel overwhelming because we haven’t connected them to a bigger picture. When we consider our decisions in light of the kind of person we want to become, it helps us say yes and no with a longer-term lens.
The Balancing Act: Plan with Openness
Planning and reflection bring clarity. But wisdom is knowing when to hold the plan loosely—to create space for what (or who) unexpectedly shows up.
In our recent house move and renovation, we had to be structured—making detailed plans to keep things on track.
But some of the most meaningful moments? They came spontaneously—like my boys going crazy setting up Nate’s bed or an unexpected deep conversation with the electrician about life and career.
🤜 Try This
If you're looking to grow in this balancing act between structure and spontaneity, I encourage you to consider trying one or all of the below three steps over the next week:
Use the above three clarifying questions to guide your focus amidst competing priorities and complex days.
Schedule intentional white space—5 to 15 minutes—for interruptions, unstructured thought or deeper contemplation.
Look back on your life and see if it's true that some of the most important moments were the ones you didn’t plan for.
Winning the battle of time isn’t about having a perfect system.
It’s about making intentional choices while staying open to life’s surprises.
A life of structure and spontaneity. Intention and interruptibility.
That’s the kind of full life I want to live out more and more. You with me?
👓 For Further Reflection
If you're wanting to take it further, here's some additional questions for you to consider and reflect on:
Where have you seen the gift of structure in your life?
Where have you seen the gift of spontaneity in your life?
Do you tend to lean more toward structured or spontaneous living?
What is one thing that could help you balance the two in your daily life?
I’d love to hear your reflections. Simply send me a note james@liveholystic.com and I'll be sure to read what you write!
James
p.s this is an excerpt taken from my regular Wins & Wrestles email drops where we celebrate the victories and wrestle through the tensions of building a life of holistic success and lasting contentment. Subscribe here to receive future email drops straight in your inbox
#Leadership #HolisticSuccess #FocusToday #3ClarifyingQuestions #CompetingPriorities