Part 2 of a 2-Part Series
Hopefully you have taken a moment to think about your level of satisfaction in each of the areas of your life. After studying your score, do you see where attention is needed? Of course you do, we all have areas in our life where we have greater and lesser satisfaction. It is my belief that the experience of satisfaction and fulfillment in life, is the result of an inner sense of living in balance.
Balance produces a sense of wholeness, completeness, peace and inner calm. You might think of the method for living a balanced life as something akin to the autopilot that flies an airplane. When the autopilot is engaged, the plane is mostly flying off course. The autopilot senses these small, moment-to-moment course deviations (imbalances) and corrects the flight path. This is a subtle movement, and underneath the awareness of the pilots in the plane. Living life with a sense of balance is a subtle dance. Over the long journey, you’ll guide yourself much like the finely-tuned autopilot, sensing imbalances as they occur in your daily life and correcting them accordingly in real time.
Here are a few suggestions that will help you be in the frame of mind that will support the discipline required to become fine-tuned to what’s happening around you so you can keep all your plates spinning with ease.
Rest and rejuvenate
You can’t be a fine-tuned instrument when you are tired. Good ol R&R is an absolute necessity if you are to find balance in your life. Many entrepreneurs struggle with the idea that rest is more important than activity. A mind and body well rested is essential for creativity and innovation.
Keep a journal
I have kept this practice going in my own life for over 20 years. I find the simple act of thinking and writing with my hand to be of profound value in helping me keep my sense of balance and proportion in my life. I could not recommend any technique more enthusiastically! The thing about a journal I like best is how it brings me present with my own thoughts. I can more easily open up to ideas about the who, what, when and how of my life priorities. Interestingly enough, I never re-read what I write. For me, being in the stream of consciousness is more important than the subject.
Spend time alone
Many people struggle with being by themselves. Many people are constantly in the company of others– colleagues, family, spouse, friends, even crowds. I can tell you with absolute conviction, you will never get a sense of balance in your life until you learn to enjoy spending time with yourself. There are many ways to enjoy your own company–go for a walk, jog, ride a bike, be out in nature, or just sitting quietly at home.
Move your body
You can’t neglect your biology. You need a vibrant, flexible, healthy body if you are going to be available to live with satisfaction and fulfillment in all the areas of your life. Like anything you do on a regular basis, make exercise a daily habit. It doesn’t take much exercise to reap big rewards. Any exercise that involves physical balance automatically puts the mind in the same state.
Pursue your hobbies
Having an interest that is outside the realm of “money-making” is vital to life balance. It doesn’t matter what it is, but you must engage in things regularly that bring you pleasure, joy, fun and amusement.
Be with your family
Our families are often taken for granted because we are always involved with family obligations. There is nothing more rewarding than just simply being with our families. It doesn’t matter what you do, just do something meaningful for all. Go to your kid’s ball game, music recital, have a pot luck with relatives– at the end of the day it’s what we’re all working hard for right?
Serve others
Anytime you are in service to others, you are creating more balance in your own life. The reason is simple–to serve others, the focus is not on you!
Everything in moderation
Moderation is just another word for balance. Do everything in moderation–from eating chocolate to developing your next product! If one thing in your life becomes out of sync with the rest of your life, it won’t be long before you are in a state of dis-ease. Over longer periods of time, dis-ease becomes disease.
Indeed, for many entrepreneurs (myself included), passion and persistence for building our business is a top priority. However, business and financial success alone is not enough for you to enjoy the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from living a balanced life.
