What Is Life Balance Anyway?

We’re hearing more and more about it; on-line, magazines, even the occasional newspaper article speaks about it. Book clubs, yoga classes, health clubs, church; everywhere we go it seems that the topic of life balance is the hot topic du jour. But what’s it mean? Is it the same for everyone? How do you know if you have it? How do you get it if you don’t? All good, and valid, questions.

Start by asking yourself what is most important to you in your life. Family values; health; mental stimulation; spirituality or religion; financial security, are just a few of the common answers. See if you can list 10 things/qualities that you absolutely do not want to live without. Instead of saying “that new Audi” try thinking about what that would mean to you. Why do you want the Audi? Is it symbolic of something? Does it mean you’ve “arrived”? Does it mean that you have achieved an income-level that makes you feel secure and happy? Whatever your answer, that is what we’re looking for, not simply the new Audi.

This list of 10 is what are now your top values ; the things that are most important to you and that will dictate whether or not you are living in balance. For instance, if you really value mental stimulation and your job is mundane, you’re not involved in anything outside of work that feeds you, and you are generally bored, then you are not in balance with one of your important values. You will most likely feel “out of kilter” and restless. Let’s look at another example: If your spirituality is important to you and you don’t take time to explore it and grow spiritually, then you are not in balance with your values. Again, you will feel out of sorts, perhaps confused or frustrated with your life as it is.

Take a look at your top 3 values and ask yourself how much time you spend cultivating them. If family is your top value and you spend 12 hours a day at work, well….you know where this is going.

The “balance” part is up to you. How can you distribute your time and energy into each area to feel happy and whole? Remember, it’s not simply the number of hours we’re looking at - it’s the quality as well. Are there things in your life that you need/want to change in order to experience the balance?

The understanding and realization are great first steps. Don’t expect to change your situation overnight. But you can change it. Remember to look at every part of your life when you feel lack in one of the areas that’s important to you. If you don’t feel the mental stimulation at work, it doesn’t mean you have to quit your job. Where else can you find what you need? What can you do today to lay the groundwork for change tomorrow? See “the big picture” and take one day at a time.

Tell us about what you’ve done to get a step closer to the beloved life balance that we all seek. It helps to have support, so let’s communicate!