LIFE: It's A Balancing Act
The Importance of Balance between Business, Family & Self
By Joyce Bone
Balance. Don’t you just love that word? It comes in handy if you’re a gymnast, but for a busy person the mere idea of actually attempting to achieve it can add stress. Let’s reframe the myth of “balance.” This word gets thrown around a lot. Are you familiar with the Scales of Justice? This is the symbol most often associated with the legal profession. It summarizes the concept nicely; two sides in perfect alignment. Let’s take a closer look at this image-- it is balancing two items. Your world is composed of more than just two responsibilities, so don’t expect all areas of your life to be in perfect alignment. The Scales of Justice aren’t moving. Is being at a standstill realistic? No. Besides, who wants to stay exactly the same day after day after day?
What about “juggling” business, family & self? Is this the way to go? The image of juggling conjures up some helpless person holding his or her breath praying there are no missteps to bring all the balls crashing down. Who wants to live like that? Many of us find ourselves in this situation. Julie Lenzer Kirk, author of Parentpreneur reminds us we need to remember “which balls in the air are rubber and which are glass”. In other words, keep your priorities straight.
Fit is a great word to replace “balance” with. It just works. When you are fit you are healthy. We can fit into our schedule things that matter to us. It is a power word that leaves you in control. Why not start applying fit to all areas of your life? The importance of being fit in business, family & self is a concept we all can relate to. Find work that fits your personality and passion. Be sure to fit your family needs in before everything else as it is these relationships that matter the most. You will fit in time for the activities that bring you pleasure. I challenge you to find “Zen” moments in your day- to- day activities. I achieved this recently painting my bedroom walls. It was a “to do” that had to get done. Once engaged in the activity I allowed my mind to wander. It became peaceful & relaxing (everyone leaves you alone when there’s real work to be done!). Plus I had a fresh coat of paint to feel proud of. “Me” time might be different with children, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find joy in what we do. Your attitude is up to you. Eleanor Roosevelt said “No one can make you feel bad without your permission.” Be proud of your life and your accomplishments. In order to achieve balance or fit you need to feel good emotionally and physically. Exercise and eating right are crucial for the energy required to live a full and exciting life! If you are having trouble incorporating these into your packed lifestyle you can always make simple changes that overtime can make a positive difference. For example, no longer eat fast food or always take the stairs instead of the elevator. You don’t have to run a triathlon to find success in these areas.
Society juxtaposes women between being “Superwoman” and finding balance. It’s similar to the Yin and the Yang philosophy many of us studied in college. The important thing to remember in all the mixed information we are constantly bombarded with is to take a deep breath and think about what is the right choice for you and yours. Life is a marathon not a sprint. You can have it all…just not all at once. If you approach life with this sensibility you will find peace. Forget running yourself ragged trying to make it all work at once. Lovingly accept that when you make your choices about what’s most important at this stage of life other areas will recede for the time being but not forever. If you make your focus family and growing a business it means you can’t be a super volunteer for the community. If you acknowledge that down the road you can always shift gears you will feel more relaxed. Do not subscribe to the “But what if I get hit by a bus and die?!” theory. Seriously, how many people do you know who have been hit by a bus? Many of us have experienced unexpected deaths in our circle of family & friends. It does make you take stock of life, but don’t let it send you into a manic tizzy trying to get everything done at once. Life situations that confront us and shake us up often become great teachers in learning true gratitude for the gifts this day offers you. If you learn to stay in the moment and truly appreciate it, life becomes much more pleasant. Balance, juggling, fit or whatever you want to call it tends to take care of itself once you subscribe to acting and thinking this way. It can take a while and perhaps feel awkward at first, but soon you will find life becomes more peaceful and joyful in spite of the hectic schedules. The important thing is to assess what you value most at this stage of your life. Once you have the answer to this question, you will be able to prioritize everything else around it and find the right fit you seek.
Joyce Bone is founder of www.millionairemoms.com a website dedicated to teaching entrepreneurial women the art of raising a business and a family at the same time. She is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and columnist. You can contact her by visiting www.JoyceBone.com.
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