I recently came across a social media post that stuck with me: modern life feels like a perpetual sprint—like we’re always running late. That struck a chord and brought back something an early boss, Béla, once told me: there will always be more work than time to finish it.
So true, isn’t it? We complain about not having enough time and, no matter where we are or what we’re doing, we’re already thinking ahead. The next meeting, the next task. We're rarely fully present in our own lives, as if being perpetually late isn’t just a scheduling issue—it is an anxiety buried in the core of our experience.
Because being late isn’t like waiting. Waiting—say, for dinner with someone you care about—is wrapped in anticipation and warmth. Being late, however? It’s dread with a side of guilt. “Oh great, I'm late again—she’s going to be pissed.” That’s the voice I hear in my head too. I have more ideas than time. From morning until dusk, I feel behind—and I’ve long since stopped believing there’s a magical way to recover lost hours.
But Is That Even Normal?
Turns out—it absolutely is. Béla’s words were simple but profound: don’t worry about getting everything done. In corporations, there will always be more. After 15 years in larger companies, I can confirm: finish one task, blink, and another two are already waiting.
Does that feel overwhelming? For many, yes—it can feel like a pressure cooker. But here’s how I choose to frame it: as both a challenge and a gift. When the tasks outnumber the hours, you're forced to prioritize. Finding clarity in prioritization is a skill worth cultivating—it serves you professionally and personally.
And yes, stakeholders do tend to ask for more—for less. But an overflowing backlog isn’t always about unrealistic demands. Sometimes it's evidence of creativity: you and your team see ways things could be better. That’s important. But those ideas need someone—the product owner or manager—to shape and sequence. Still, trust me: there will always be more to do than you can tackle.
At Home, You're Both the Product Owner and the Executor
In my personal life, I hold both roles: the dreamer (product owner) and the doer (executor). I set the goals and chase them, but there's no boss to remind me: “Maybe this can wait.” Without that buffer, the emotional toll can feel deeply personal—when tasks aren’t checked off, it's tempting to internalize it.
That’s why a powerful memory resurfaces: a former senior manager once told a colleague who stayed late working overtime, “I need good people not tonight, but also in a year. If you keep working like that, you’ll burn out. Please, go home now.” Those words felt like a lifeline. They said: your humanity matters more than today's output.
A Gentle, Yet Firm Conclusion
The truth? There will always be more work than time. That isn’t your failing; it’s just how the system works. At work, if you feel overwhelmed, ask: is it a prioritization issue? Am I getting the right shielding from my product owner or manager? At home—where you blur the lines between guilt and duty—lean on the clarity you've learned professionally.
In the end: being late isn’t a personal shortfall. It’s a signal—to slow down just enough to choose what matters. So prioritize. Protect your boundaries. And be kind to yourself.