Going through life constantly needing to move on to the next thing without appreciating the steps you took to get there. Too often people feel the need to distract themselves from the stresses and pressures of life and overextending themselves. The leaders over apply for positions and try to be involved in a little bit of everything. Those passionate about a cause or organization continuously try to help in any way they possibly can.

A few months ago, I was sitting with a family friend and they asked me what's been going on in my life. As I listed off my leadership positions and my responsibilities and everything I've been working on this semester, they looked at me with concern.

I was confused, and they proceeded to say, "Have you ever thought about being a human being rather than a human doing?"

I was so confused, so she then explained and told me I was moving through the day as a routine. Wake up, highlight items off a list as I completed them, make a new list for the next day, and go to sleep. Nothing was good enough if the tasks at hand weren't completed and I consistently had so much to do that I didn’t applaud myself for the progress I was making towards my goals.

Life can easily become a long to do list, but it's hard to recognize your accomplishments when you get caught up in what's coming next.When you look back at the progression of your life, what's going to stand out? Having a resume chock full of experiences or having a lifetime of stories and memories from the times you stepped off the sidewalk and tried something new? Instead of barreling from one to do list item to the next, take a second. Appreciate the work you're putting in and the progress you're making.

Be a human being. Pat yourself on the back. Take a step back and tell yourself to be proud of the accomplishments you’ve had and how every single one of them has shaped you. Live life recognizing that all the little details add up to the big picture instead of only focusing on the end result. Allow yourself to take a break even if the list is becoming overwhelming and hang out with people who support you and hype you up.