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WHAT NOW? Wednesdays - When You Lose Your Balance

How do you define being “balanced?” I get different answers when I ask this question. Are your initial thoughts about your checkbook, your career, your personal life or all of the above? Have you lost your balance or do you think you’re balanced when others suggest you’re not?

First, I think it’s important to define what balance means to you. There is a lot of good advice out there defining what it is and how to get there. But if your life is out of balance, I encourage you to step back and take a realistic look at what balance means for you. It may not match any definition of what you’ve read or heard from others.

I’ve been confronted by friends and family in the past who believed my life was out of balance. But now I realize I was actually pretty balanced based on my definition for my life. My definition works for me because it’s realistic and fits my values. I read something recently (sorry I can’t remember where) that really helped me put this in perspective. Work/life balance does not have to mean X percent of the day or week on the job, X percent with family/friends, working out, hobbies, etc. It might mean working extended hours when needed and taking advantage of extra time for family, vacations, hobbies, etc. whenever you can. It might mean working a second job for a time to make ends meet. There are seasons in life and our careers where the formula might vary a lot by the day/week/month/year, but I believe it can still be balanced with the right focus and attitude.

For me, balance is working long hours when needed to succeed and shorter hours when that will get the job done. I take advantage of quality time with family and simple pleasures in life whenever I can. As a working mom, I don’t have much time for hobbies right now, but my son is more important to me. I can always sign up for that dance class or volunteer when he’s older and won’t miss me. For me, that’s balanced but I have friends who disagree. I admit I’m out of balance when I find excuses not to take time to work out when I can afford to. I also recognize I have a lot of work to do in other areas like balancing finances - but I give myself a break when a break is due and feel pretty balanced overall.

How about you? Are you balanced by your own definition? I’d love to hear and learn from you!