In my last two blogs, I explored the idea of enough—how we struggle to define it, how we push past it, and how it impacts our decisions about when to step away.
But just as we have trouble knowing when we have had enough, we also struggle with something equally dangerous: having too much. We do not just live in a world of not enough—we live in a world of excess.
We eat too much.
We compare ourselves to others too much.
We drink too much.
We work too much.
We worry too much.
We binge-watch too much.
We talk too much.
We resent too much.
We schedule too much.
We multitask too much.
We try to be too much.
We rush too much.
We fear too much.
And here is the dirty, little secret nobody is talking about—we excel too much. We push for more, hustle harder, and fill every moment, convinced that if we just do a little bit more, we will finally feel satisfied.
But that is a big, fat lie.
The Cost of Too Much
One of the reasons we do too much and never let up is because we do not think we have enough. Not enough time, not enough money, not enough success, not enough validation. So, we stay busy—racing from one commitment to another, living in a constant state of hurry and urgency, never pausing to ask: “What is all of this really for?”
Many executives see this firsthand. They work too much, believing that more deals, more hours, and more effort will lead to success. But in the process, they sacrifice their health, relationships, and peace of mind.
Parents schedule their kids too much—filling their days with sports, lessons, and organized activities, leaving no space for boredom, creativity, or rest.
We consume too much—news, social media, entertainment—flooding our minds with constant stimulation; we rarely take time to reflect or simply be present.
And yet, despite all the “too much,” we still feel like we do not have enough.
How to Recognize When You are Doing Too Much
So, how do you know when “too much” has taken over? Here are a few warning signs:
1. You feel constantly drained. If your energy is depleted and you are running on fumes, you may be overcommitting in too many areas.
2. You have no space in your schedule. If every moment of your day is filled and the thought of an open afternoon feels foreign, you may be cramming in too much.
3. You are irritable and impatient. When you are overloaded, small inconveniences feel like big problems. You are snapping at others, feeling overwhelmed, and constantly frustrated.
4. You do not enjoy the things you once loved. When too much takes over, even hobbies and passions become obligations.
5. You struggle to be present. If your mind is always on the next task, the next meeting, or the next goal, you may be trapped in a cycle of “too much.”
How to Break Free from ‘Too Much’
Recognizing the problem is one thing. Changing it is another. Here are four ways to start pulling back from the trap of “too much”:
1. Create margin. Schedule nothing. Block time for rest, reflection, and simply being rather than doing.
2. Set boundaries. Just because you can do something does not mean you should do that something. Learn to say “no” at work, at home, and in your commitments.
3. Define your “enough.” How much work is enough? How much success is enough? How much more do you really need? Clarity on “enough” helps you stop chasing “too much.”
4. Prioritize what truly matters. If you had to cut your commitments in half, what would stay? Focus on those things. Let the rest go.
Finding Balance Between ‘Too Much’ and ‘Enough’
The truth is, we are not good at knowing when enough is enough. We excel too much. We push too much. We fill our lives too much. And in doing so, we rob ourselves of the joy and peace that come with simply being satisfied.
The key is not to stop striving—it is to strive for the right things. To recognize when “too much” is costing us “enough.”
So maybe the real question is not, “Do I have enough?” but rather, “Am I finally ready to stop chasing ‘too much?’”