Strike a balance, not a pose.
Do you experience burnout, low productivity, insomnia, and/or stress related illnesses? Do you ever feel consumed by your obligations? If so, you may be amongst the many people suffering from life-work imbalance. Since we spend mass quantities of time “on the job,” it is easy to become absorbed by the demands of the working atmosphere; even when we’re off the clock, the brain keeps ticking away. Some people become psychologically addicted to work, while others adopt the belief that work comes first—at the expense of friends, family, and personal fulfillment.
Regardless of your work, task number one on the job description should read: maintain personal balance. This internal infrastructure supports your entire life! When the scales are tipped, everything suffers, from working productivity to health and relationships. Therefore, if your career (or anything else) is important to you, balance must come first.
Literally and figuratively, balance is a function of the inner ear, so tune in. This internal diagnostic tool is also commonly known as following your heart, nose, or gut. As you sharpen your deeper sense of hearing (and follow through), you gain the ability to finish daily work and responsibilities without feeling drained. You participate in activities you enjoy and spend time with your loved ones. You have time for exercise, relaxation, and fun. You’re satisfied when you fall asleep and motivated when you wake up.
In the whirling-dervish we call life in America, striking balance is a daily practice. The requests (or demands) of a given day pull in many directions; it can feel like you’re a juggler in a circus or a hat rack in a hallway. Nonetheless, balance is an act of nature; and as such, both attainable and maintainable.
Let’s take an example. In one evening alone, your friends want to see a movie, the laundry isn’t done, your mother needs help organizing the garage, a ten page paper is due, the hottie you met yesterday invited you to dinner, and you hoped to go for a jog. Everything seems to be a priority, but not everything can happen at once. What to do? Consult your internal compass. Listen to what your inner ear says is important, and follow course. Just say no (or later) to the rest.
The key aspect of inner-ear awareness is mindfulness. All impediments to balance begin at the level of perception—yes, it’s all in your head. When you’re listening in, you can filter and fix patterns of belief and behavior that pull you off course (dependence on external sources of approval, putting the needs and expectations of others before your own, fear of change, preoccupation with appearances, perfectionism, and procrastination contribute to tipsy-ness). When you’re listening in, you can hear the messages and signals your body sends to you throughout the day: food, drink, sleep, solitude, work, exercise, relaxation, or play. Tuning in to your inner ear allows you to work with, rather than against, yourself.
A Golden rule of thumb: set aside “Personal Space” in your schedule, for at least an hour, twice weekly. Call it a mandatory meeting for Me, Myself, and I. This time is not to be used for cleaning or catch up or congregation; it’s an opportunity for strong internal dialogue/inner ear connection. Don’t pre-fill it before hand. Rather, when you arrive to your appointment, ask yourself what you would like to do…and do it. Whether you end up practicing cartwheels, writing in a journal, taking a walk, reading Harry Potter, sitting under a tree people-watching, or doing absolutely nothing, this time is for You—and it will work wonders for your sense of balance.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” - Albert Einstein
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