Changing my ways

I felt a change the last few days. Perhaps I am getting wiser and more mature. I have decided I want more balance in my life. I plan to be successful and I need to say "no" more often to do that. I need to set limits and I need to have priorities.
This past fall I was listening to a podcast by Lara Galloway of http://mombizcoach.com/ and she said that we all need to set priorities and stick to them. I thought "well, that's easy!" Then she said we could only have 3 priorities. I thought "Only 3?! Impossible!"
I have always had more than 3 focuses in my life and I drive myself crazy trying to get them all done. Usually I do complete everything and most of the time I do them all well but I feel stressed, distracted and anxious in the process.
But I don't want to feel that way anymore. Especially now that my son is in daycare 3 days a week, I want the days that I am with him to be special. I want to present and focused on him, not thinking about the hundred things on my to-do list.
So here are my 3 priorities:

1. Family - spending quality time loving each other and getting settled in our new home
2. Health - continuing to care of my body through good food, self care and active living
3. Career - taking advantage of the exciting opportunities that come my way

And in that order! Which means I may have to say no to a career opportunity if it jeopardizes too much of the time I spend with my family. I value my family more than anything but I think they may doubt that some days. I have spent too many weekends in my home office with the door shut this winter.
This week I said no to a couple things: I withdrew from one of my courses for next semester (leaving me with only one) and I delayed a guest blogging opportunity until next month. It feels good to set priorities and stick to them. I know I will be a better me (and mom and partner and friend) with less on my plate.