Life Is About Finding Balance. The Search Is Part Of The Blueprint.

This page is all about a journey. It's an important journey, one that every aspiring or current leader will take, and ironically, one that doesn't have a clear-cut finish line. At least not in the traditional sense, but those who arrive will know it. The people around those successful travelers will know it too. Life is about finding balance, and those who find this idyllic spot will shine a light that will attract people to the same journey.

Finding balance isn't like climbing a mountain and planting a flag to mark the spot. Although the trip up the mountain might resemble the search for balance in life.

I've never climbed a tall mountain, so maybe this will be a better metaphor. Many years ago I took flying lessons. We had an end goal, a definitive destination for every flight, but along the way we had to make course corrections as the winds blew, traffic was encountered, and weather shifted.

The pathway to balance in life will be the same. You'll need to adjust, course-correct, and above all, remain flexible. In this page we'll give you some steps to help guide you through the process. We didn't always take the correct paths in our own journey, so you'll read how when life is about finding balance, it is also about bouncing back from bad choices.

When you get there, you'll find that you are a better parent, better spouse, more effective as a leader, more confident, more compassionate, and at peace with your life.

Life Is About Finding Balance

Before we begin with how to get there, let's go over what isn't there. Perfection won't be found. There is no perfect balance. Don't sweat it. Don't waste time and anxiety worrying about perfection. You aren't going to find it because it doesn't exist.

Now that you understand that fact, you can focus your talents and energy on that pathway to finding balance in life. Even though we have the scars from our own journey, we can also confidently attest to the truth that the journey is in and of itself, part of balance in life. And so you are prepared, even when you get there, you need to keep course-correcting to stay there.

What you will become on the way to getting there is as important as the end result. If life is about finding balance, and it is, then the personal growth you experience is a huge part of this mercurial balanced life. So, let's give you a few tips on getting there.

How To Find Balance In Life

We touched on balance in life in our page about goal setting and time management, but we didn't go far into it. In this page, we'll dig a little deeper.

1.) Start in the mirror. No one knows us as well as we know ourselves. We know when we are feeling right. And when we aren't. We can sense the triggers when we get rattled or distracted. We know what gets us fired up. We know what scares us. We know this better than anyone else.

As we go through the remaining steps, keep this first one in mind. Are we getting distracted? Are we thinking we can't do it? Self-check is important. You'll see that in every numbered point that will follow this one.

2.) Time management. In our page about this subject we wrote that time management is really a misnomer because we all get the same number of minutes every day. We don't get to add any time, so we are really time stewards. Set aside a bulk of that time to work on the things most important in your life.

Step one, above this one, is vital now. We have to know that we know what our biggest goals are and we need to have them clearly in our minds. We have a three part series on powerful goal-setting strategies. Since life is about finding balance, part of that needs to be focused on those most important goals.

As you use step one in this list, you'll recognize right away if you are procrastinating in doing the work. but you'll also see if you are overloading yourself. The next steps are about avoiding that pitfall. I have plenty of scars from failing in this step. But failure is always a step on the way to success.

3.) Let go of some of the controls. This was so hard for me. "If they would just do it the way I showed them!" Let some of it go. Finding work life balance and balance in any part of your life is about letting go of the need for absolute control. Flexibility is key on the pathway to finding a balanced life.

Multi-taskers are usually kind of good at many things, but not outstanding at any of them. They are managers, not leaders. Leaders know how to teach, then delegate, then trust what they taught. As you travel the path to a balanced life, let go of the unnecessary and the pains from the past. They are gone and have already forgotten about you. Use part of your time to excel at what is most important to you and then.....

4.) Disconnect and be present. Relax. Balance in life, or the search thereof will not, absolutely will not deter you from success. You can trust me on this one. It will actually hasten your achievement. Balance is that powerful.

Disconnect from the goals list for awhile and relax. When you are at your kid's ballgame or recital be fully present there for them. Step one will tell you if you are slipping away from this role. Remind yourself that your most important place, mentally and physically is right there in the seats supporting your family.

If it's just you spending some time in quiet peace, don't let that quiet become cluttered with anxious thoughts or nervous energy. Balance in life is about being present in the moment you are in right now. If you follow these steps in the order they are intentionally listed, you will have plenty of time for everything. At least everything that is really important.

It's okay to say, "No" to the things that aren't really important. Time stewards, remember?

"Adapt. Improvise. Overcome."

Life is about finding balance and the three words to remember are adapt, improvise, overcome. The winds of change, of adversity, and at some point fear, will push you off course, so you will be constantly making minor or sometimes, maybe not so minor course corrections. It's all part of the journey.

Having been at the depths of the lows, I can tell you the journey will be worth it. The journey will strengthen you. You will become someone who will lift people up because you lifted yourself up. They only need you to give them a start, then they will take the next steps.

A balanced life is still a changing life because balance isn't a specific spot. It's a confidence and a contentment. It's a recognized skill set and a teaching mentality. It's a belief and it is definitely worth the journey.

We'll look for you on the path to that balanced life.

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