Too Many Irons—But Is That Even Your Fire?

This one’s been sitting with me for a while—something I’ve dealt with most of my life and seen repeat itself in a bunch of different ways.

Today’s topic: having too many irons in the fire… and more importantly, asking yourself if that fire is even yours.

The Phrase That Follows Me

“Too many irons in the fire” is a saying I’ve heard for years. My buddy Malcolm reminds me of it often. He’s not wrong—I juggle a lot. But I also love what I do, and I’ve built a skillset I can actually capitalize on.

One of my college professors once told me, “Sometimes having too many irons in the fire nets too many irons in the fire.” I didn’t fully get it back then, but I do now.

It’s like this: if you’ve got too much going on, you might just end up spinning your wheels instead of making real progress. That’s feedback I’ve heard from multiple people. But still—I enjoy the grind. Having lots going on gives me room to move, to shift, to adapt.

Is the Fire Even Yours?

Lately, I’ve been asking myself: Are the things I’m doing actually mine? Are they fueling my goals, my purpose?

That’s a question I think more people should ask themselves—frequently. You’re not selfish for questioning whether your time and energy are being used well. You’re being real.

Because here’s the deal: if the fire you’re stoking doesn’t lead to your dreams, maybe it’s not your fire. Maybe someone else lit it, and you’re just stuck feeding it.

Lessons from the Field

Let me give you a couple real-life examples:

1. The Business Partner

‍I once had a formal business partner. We ran a print-on-demand e-comm brand. The concept was a little bland, but with the right marketing, it worked. I trusted his experience and his ability to handle marketing. I was wrong. I ended up funding everything and learned the hard way that blind trust is expensive. Since then, I’ve learned to check in, double-check, and triple-check. If you want something done right? Do it yourself—or at least oversee it properly.

2. The Artist Agency Experience

In LA, I started managing an artist I vibed with. We signed an agreement pretty quickly, and I suddenly found myself doing way more than what was in my scope. Simple things like grabbing breakfast? Sure. But over time, those “extras” clouded my judgment and diluted my focus.

What I learned? Set boundaries early. Define scope clearly. Know what you bring to the table and what you’re responsible for. It’s made me better at agency work, and I now know where that line in the sand is.

The Identity Crisis of Doing “Too Much”

People often ask me, “What do you do?”

My answer? A lot.

Photography, video, editing, drone work, real estate, investing, creative consulting—you name it. It sounds like a lot because it is a lot. But for me, it works. I believe multiple income streams = multiple opportunities. And I thrive in that energy.

Yes, sometimes I procrastinate. (Check out my video on “Perfect Timing” where I talk about that.) But I also stay optimistic, even if nothing’s stuck hard enough for me to go 100% in—yet. I’ve got ideas. I’ve got plans. And yeah, sometimes they sit on the back burner longer than they should.

But here’s the thing…

Let Your Fire Burn Bright

If you’ve got a lot going on, embrace it. Let your fire burn. Just make sure it’s your fire. Make sure it’s pushing you forward. And if it is—keep going. Keep doing. Keep building toward that future you believe in.

Thanks for tapping into this blog/vlog hybrid. Hope it sparked something for you.

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