January 26th, 2021
Balance.
I heard something recently that had me evaluate my belief system. I've always believed that a person should have a work life balance, that the four pillars of your life (health, career, family, spirituality) should be balanced and equal.
However, if that is the practice then no one pillar gets 100 percent of you. You're trying to be a good mom, while also balancing your career and making sure you get your daily exercise and connecting spiritually when you can. That's impossible. Even if you aquire this elusive balance, your pillars will all only reach 25% because you are already out over all four.
What if we allowed our pillars to ebb and flow based on what we are doing at that particular moment.
For instance. At work, you give 100% to your career. You're not thinking about your relationship, or your workout. You're putting the effort into that pillar.
If your wife calls, you put 100 percent of the energy on her. Instead of trying to balance both.
If you're making food for yourself, focus on what you're eating (mindful eating) instead of rushing to get back to another pillar. Dedicate your energy to that pillar as you experience it.
For me? I want to give 100 percent to my work. I want to be the best teacher I can, and then I want to leave the classroom and put my energy towards my heath and fitness. When I get home I want to put my energy into being a good wife, and mother.
Such lofty goals. But work/life balance is fictional and we should stop killing ourselves to find this perfect balance when all it does is let one of your pillars slip from the priority.
Your health, maybe you're gaining weight because you're priority is ok something else.
Your family, maybe you're ignoring your spouses attempts to connect because you're focused on work.
What can I do to help give 100% to what I'm doing and not let things slip?