It seems every working professional speaks of their quest for balance – balance between their work and their life outside of work. They are constantly being tugged in different directions by bottom lines, spouses, deadlines, kids’ activities, business trips, friends, projects, passions, and their own guilt. Work/life balance can be extremely difficult to achieve. Definitely not 50/50. Not that most professionals would even want that. Work/life balance is incredibly elusive and quite possibly impossible, at least for the long haul. Perhaps you achieve a semblance of it for a week or even a season if you’re lucky. But the feeling of your work and life being in perfect balance comes as goes. And more than often not, it feels just out of reach.
Work/life balance is something I constantly strive for. I intentionally make choices based on how in or out of alignment I feel because I know I show up as my best self when I’m living in harmony with my work obligations and drive, and my personal responsibilities to my husband, kids, friends, and self. Work/life balance is not the only type of balance I find myself seeking, however. Far from it. I aim for balance in my nutrition, my exercise, my parenting, and more notable recently, my urge to get sh!t done vs. my need to rest.
With two very active teenage boys who are involved in all the things including a very hectic and unpredictable sports travel schedule, our family is constantly on the go. It is extremely rare to spot an upcoming weekend on our calendar that is not overrun with flights, games, tournaments, college tours, or other events. Our busy schedule has left us very fulfilled but also very exhausted, On the rare occasion that we do get a day to sleep in and spend the day lounging around, my body doesn’t let me. I physically can’t sleep in, though I know an extra hour or two would do me some good. I have a hard time just lounging around too, though my soul yearns for that relaxation.
The problem is I’m a Type A go-getter and my ambition often gets the best of me. Four hours with nothing to do? Hmm, what new project can take on? Two hours free? Ooh! That’s plenty of time to squeeze in a pilates class. Never do I resort to I’ll just cozy up by the fire for a few hours and read a book or take a nap. My natural tendency is to do. And it’s not that I’m opposed to relaxation. Whisk me off to Costa Rica for a yoga and meditation retreat and I have no problem finding peace and relaxation. Check in on me at home though, and you’ll find a busy bee project manager constantly at work and without a minute to spare regardless of nothing being on the calendar. I yearn for a lazy, self-indulgent day. I know what wonders it can do in terms of self-care. I want to be able to recharge my body and soul in the comfort of my own home that I love so dearly. I know more balance can be achieved if I were to just rest and relax more.
So, I am going to work harder at not working. To do that, I am going to schedule me time on the calendar that I so dutifully abide by for everything else – the calendar that keeps my family and our home running like clockwork. 9am-11am: Janette reads for pleasure. It sounds nice, doesn’t it? And I am going to do everything within my power to stick to the me time I schedule. The main benefits? I will feel less overwhelmed, more rested, and more in balance. I will be a better version of me and that is the ultimate goal.
Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to my Be the CEO of Your Life Newsletter to receive my blog articles and other resources to connect, inspire, and motivate you to get everything you want out of life!
