---
date: '2025-09-25'
description: "Jason Cohen posits a critical time management insight: individuals can\
  \ effectively pursue only two significant endeavors\u2014a concept he terms \"Big\
  \ Things.\" This limitation arises from the finite nature of time, particularly\
  \ the structured 24-hour day. Dependencies between commitments such as work, family,\
  \ and personal pursuits illustrate the resulting trade-offs. Imbalanced allocation\
  \ leads to neglect in areas, often endangering personal relationships. For entrepreneurs,\
  \ initiating a startup frequently becomes untenable without prioritizing it over\
  \ other endeavors. The underlying implication underscores the necessity for strategic\
  \ prioritization in professional and personal life to avoid burnout and relational\
  \ strain."
link: /archive/2025-09-24-you-can-have-two-big-things-but-not-three
tags:
- time management
- work-life balance
- productivity
- personal development
- startup advice
- weblog
title: You can have two Big Things, but not three
type: weblog
---
{% raw %}

You can do anything, but not everything.

---

> The rule of life is: **You can have two “Big Things” in your life, but not three**.

I think this is a good way to tell people that you can't have it all. But you can, in fact, have more than two things. Just not at the same time.

{% endraw %}