Why is it
that some of us seem to be waiting for the game of life
to begin? We work, save up money, and go on a vacation so
we can really live it up for a few days. The vacation comes
and goes, and we find ourselves whining and wishing that
we could have more balance and that vacation-kind-of-feeling
every day of our lives.
We’ve read
about balance, that illusive concept of perfectly combining
a blissful personal life with our professional demands.
Do you ever wonder, “Why is this life balance concept so
difficult to learn?” It should be simple. Studies indicate
that any action taken consistently for 30 days will become
a habit. It will become something that you have successfully
learned and incorporated into your life. The concept seems
simple...as long as you're disciplined enough to stick with
something for a mere 30 days.
One of the
difficulties revolving around learning to achieve work/life
balance is that our situations, jobs, family, and lives
are fluid, and therefore, constantly changing. The balance
or equilibrium is constantly being challenged. You may have
learned that consistent exercise helps your body work at
its optimum, so you developed a habit of going to the gym
for 30 minutes a day. Then your job changes, forcing you
to be more physically active. Now you realize that instead
of exercising for a half hour, you really crave peace, quiet,
solitude. You haven't gotten lazy; your balance needs
have shifted. Most of us think we've learned what works
and we keep doing it without recognizing our needs
have changed.
Learning
to balance demands the ability to listen to the deeper knowing
that will tell you what you need. Don't we usually know
what we need—when to exercise or meditate or laugh and have
fun—we just don't do it?
Simply being
aware that balancing your life is a priority creates a space
for you to learn and re-learn what it is that you currently
need. We constantly have to be open to the vast possibilities
and realize that each of us has diverse needs demanding
t ever changing solutions.
Sorry, no
Top Ten Sure Fire Tips, no cookie cutter answers, and no
bull here. You are unique; you've always known this truth,
so your balance requirements are unique, too
Okay,
here's one basic guideline: Take time daily to do something
that you love, something that feeds your soul. The list
of somethings is as long as your imagination is creative.
Meditate, go for a walk, write, read, paint, pump iron,
teach a child something, cook a gourmet meal, dance, sing,
journal, commune with nature, practice yoga, play golf,
etc., etc. You probably already know what "it"
is; you just have to make a conscious choice to incorporate
"it" into your life. And recognize that your needs
may be different tomorrow.
If you're
really not sure what feeds your mind/body/spirit/soul right
now, try on something new for 30 days; see what you learn
about yourself. Did it work? Do you feel more or
less balanced? You have to be willing to let go of should,
wanna but and if only, and try stepping into a space of
discovery. The experiment is you. Enjoy!
Melinda
Vilas is a speaker, writer, and the Editor-at-Large of Living in Balance
Magazine, the author of The Magic Toolbox; a
children's book, a founder of TeenCoach.com,
and head of PR for CoachInc.com.
She can be reached at melinda@coachu.com.
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