As we’ve observed leaders who have developed mastery in living with greater work/life balance, two skills are obvious:
1) When they’re driving home, their mind is not back in the office; When they’re in a meeting, their emotions are not re-living an argument they had with their teenager the night before; When they’re at the kitchen table, their heart is present.
In other words, they are present where they are. They have the ability to focus, to know that “the only time is now.”
2) Masters have also adopted the powerful and effective paradigm of understanding that it’s impossible to be out of balance. (Seriously.) We expand on this innovative technique in our upcoming book, Degrees of Strength. Because it’s impossible to have less than zero of any quality you desire – such as balance – evidence always exists that you are living this value to some degree. Masters focus on the evidence – the Degrees of Strength – that exists, and consequently create more of it.
Try these questions for a week:
– In what ways am I already creating balance in my life now?
– What have I been doing to successfully live this value so far this week?
– Today, in what moments do I want to be particularly “present?”
– Why is moving forward this skill important to me personally?
– What is my plan to consistently focus on where I’m making progress in this important effort?
‘Balance’ is a misnomer. A perfect ratio of work and personal life is not the objective. The opportunity lies in being the best ever in each moment – regardless of where you are.
Take it and run! We encourage you to copy, forward and share this with anyone you know who wants to accelerate performance via more effective leadership and culture. Several leaders are using this as fodder for enlightening conversations with their teams. And as you serve others with this material, please include this: The above article is from the Verus Global Leadership Post by Craig W. Ross and Steve W. Vannoy. Visit https://www.verusglobal.com/wp/ for other ideas on this topic.
Amen to today’s blog. Work Life Balance is tricky at best but to be “present” and engaged in each scenario wheather it’s home or work is so important! Something to strive for!
Sabrina
Thanks for the inspiring post today. When my parents got married, a priest gave them what they considered to be the best advice, something along the lines of: “If you’re expecting marriage to be 50/50, you’ll always be disappointed. Sometimes it’s 80/20…” My mother got angry hearing this and assuming she’d be the 80%. “…and sometimes it’s 20/80.” If you expect work-life balance to be 50/50, you’ll always be disappointed.
Love the work life balance overview. Balance is relative-some have the capacity to take on a little more than others. This in no way makes them more superior. Maybe to some a little ‘touched,’ as the say 🙂
I’m presently balancing a full time school course load, my career, and home life. When I’m working I feel and think I’m fully engaged-albeit a great deal to handle in and of itself.
When I’m doing the education thing, I tend to be a realist. My schedule in no way allows me the luxury of straight A’s. Just give my the degree already. I can and will revisit the text as needed, thereafter.
Finally, in my personal life, home with ‘Wifie’ I really try to listen intently. However she understands I’m one task shy of dropping the proverbial balls I’m juggling. She likes me has gotten a glimpse of the light at the end of tunnel and it looks better and better with each passing day.
But now I’ve greater clarity-“be the best I can be-in the moment.” Thank you for this timely and invaluable advise.
Live Forward Focused and Thrive:
John