What if I told you that balanced living and fulfillment go hand in hand?

In Last weeks blog we discussed the importance of having a balanced life and examined the significance that balance has on leadership. And while defining a balanced life was fairly straightforward, I wanted to examine what that looks like in practice.

Balance is found when we are able to give our time and energy in even portions to the various aspects of our lives. 

It means finding that sweet spot between your work, family, health, and emotional well-being. And it’s different for everyone. Balance for you will look very different from what balance looks like for me and so on and so forth.

So how do we work towards balance?

Examine Your Life:

If you want to start to work towards finding balance you first need to take stock of the different areas of your life. What do your days look like? What parts of your life do you value? How is your time currently being spent? Do you notice one area that is getting more attention than others?

Pinpoint Your Priorities:

Once you’ve taken a look at the current state of your day to day life, it’s time to figure out the things that matter most to you. What things in your life matter most to you? What do you want to focus on more? What do you want to center your life around? What do you need to spend more time doing? What do you need to spend less time doing? Figure out what it is that you need to focus on and once you have, step back and analyze whether those things combined will add up to a balanced life. Will the things you’ve chosen to focus on allow you to be a well rounded person? Do these priorities cater to your overall wellness or do they lean in one direction a little too strongly?

Add/Subtract Activities:

Now that you’ve pinpointed what matters most to you, take stock of the activities that take up your days and ask yourself whether or not they lend themselves to the things you’ve chosen to prioritize. You don’t have to completely get rid of activities you genuinely enjoy, but if you find yourself spending an inordinate amount of time on one thing that isn’t something you’re passionate about-it may be time to take a step back. If you have areas of your life you’ve noticed are lacking find creative ways to incorporate activities that will help you to focus on those things into your routines. Maybe that means making an effort to take a walk everyday. Maybe it’s reading more and watching television less. Maybe it’s working harder during the day so that when you get home you can truly relax. Whatever it is, your life never has to stay the same if you don’t want it to-do what you have to do in order to find that balance.

Get Comfortable Saying “No”:

Sometimes we say yes to things because we don’t want to appear as though we can’t do something. Sometimes we say yes because we feel guilty if we don’t. Part of pursuing balance means knowing when to say no to things that will throw your time off kilter. Obviously favors for friends and family are part of relationships, but you don’t have to say yes to everything. When you create boundaries with your life and time you are able to be your best in the areas of your life that matter most to you. Saying no allows you to say yes to the things you’ve chosen to center your life around. 

Embrace That You Can’t Do Everything:

As obvious as it sounds, it’s important to remember as you pursue balance, that you can’t do everything. No one can. We all have limitations, what’s important is the intention you hold and the actions you take towards those intentions that matter. You’re never going to be perfect, and the sooner you embrace that, the better off you’ll be.

Live With Purpose:

At the end of the day when you know your purpose and passions you are better equipped to pursue balance because you know what it is you’re living for. When you know your purpose and pursue it you are able to naturally maintain balance because you know what it is you’re chasing in this life. Have you discovered your purpose yet?

When all is said and done, this life is yours to live. There is a lot we don’t have a say in, but what we choose to center our lives around is something no one else can decide for us. If you are struggling to find balance, know that you aren’t alone and that everyday is a new opportunity to find it. 

As you pursue balance and find it your life will start to notice your relationships improving, your productivity increasing, your mental health improving, and even your physical health mend itself. There are long term benefits to finding balance, you just need to make it an intention to find it. 

Lead Well,