It’s the one truth we can all agree on.

And it even becomes truer the more we get older.

But despite it being true, most people tend to ignore it:

• Young adults (or teenagers) prioritize meeting their parents’ expectations instead of following what they truly love.
• Adults with their own families and with a demanding work prioritize earning money than being present with their kids.

I’m not faulting or judging anyone. If anything, I can relate. (Grateful for my friend Sai for reminding me this).

Of course we have to do what we have to do. We have responsibilities. And for others, it’s an obligation. It’s either they do it or their loved ones suffer.

So we figure out a solution: Catch up

Those young adults/teenagers who please their parents believe that someday they’d finally do what they truly love to do. That they’d catch up. After all, their parents gave everything for them. It’s a no-brainer to give back first.

Those busy working adults believe that they’re doing the right thing. And that maybe someday when they have all the money in the world, they’d finally have the time for their kids . That they’d catch up. After all, the money is for their kids’ future.

Very inspiring. Admirable.

But can we really catch up?

That’s like saying:

• “Yeah, I finally gave back to my parents. It’s finally time to do what I really love to do (how old are you now?).”
• “Yeah, I did earn a lot of money. Now it’s time to spend time with my little kids (now adults).”

The reality is… there’s no such thing as “catch up.”

What we actually mean when we say catch up is this:

“I have to delay doing this other thing — doesn’t matter how important it is — because I am obliged to do this other thing first.”

One thing to always remember is that, there’s always a tradeoff. The “time” we spent on one thing is time we could have spent on other things.

This is why we must know our priorities.

When we’re aware of our priorities, our actions are aligned with the things that truly matter to us.

To be aligned. That’s the whole point.

Ask yourself: “What’s my priority? What matters the most to me right now?”

This precious little time we have. Everyone knows where we are all heading to… Everyone knows.

Might as well live a kind of life we won’t regret on our deathbeds.

PS: My kid just turned 5 years old. And I’ve already given up a lot of things so we can have more time together (best decision I ever made). That’s my priority right now. And that’s what matters most to me.