As humans, we are constantly striving for balance in our lives.

Whether it’s balancing our work and personal life, our physical and mental health, or our relationships and individual needs, achieving a sense of balance can feel like an elusive goal.

But why is balance so important? And how can we achieve more balance in our lives?

Balance is essential for our overall well-being.

When you’re out of balance, you can experience many negative effects on your body. Stress goes up, energy goes down.

On a mental level, being out of balance can cause a lack of motivation, fulfillment, and productivity.

And let’s face it, balancing fuels us to be healthier, happier, and more successful in our personal and professional endeavors.

When we’re balanced, we’re not trying to inch out another blog post.

We’re not exhausted from spending time with our loved ones after a long work day.

Our lives operate from a place of rest, not a place of rush.

The most important thing to remember is that balance can be achieved easily by focusing your attention and awareness on these key areas:

Self-Investigation

Anything you want and desire in life must start with self-inquiry. You must go deep into the areas of your life to find where you do not have the balance you desire.

Asking questions in this period of reflection can help you improve your life by allowing you to gain new insights and perspectives on your experiences and challenges.

When asking questions to improve your life, it can be helpful to:

1. Start with a specific goal or area of your life that you want to improve. This will help you focus your questions and make them more targeted and effective.

2. Avoid asking closed-ended questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead, try to ask open-ended questions that encourage exploration and discussion.

3. Be curious and open-minded. Approach your questions with a willingness to learn and understand different perspectives.

4. Be persistent. Don't be afraid to ask follow-up questions or probe deeper into a topic. This can help you gain a more thorough understanding of the issues at hand.

5. Consider seeking the advice of others. Talking to friends, family members, or professionals can provide valuable insights and perspectives on your questions.

Here are some example questions you can ask yourself to gain some perspective.

1. Am I working to achieve in my life, or am I working to avoid?

2. Is my physical health being compromised in pursuit of achievement?

3. Am I making time for my relationships as much as I value them?

This type requires solitude and reflection. You cannot force these answers to come to you without the ability to sit in quiet and tune into your mind and desires.

Prioritizing Goals And Desires

One of the things in achieving balance is that YOU cannot do it all.

Most people fall out of balance rather than into balance because they are seeking so much more outside of their capacity.

This is not a limitations aspect of anyone. This is simply about prioritizing goals and desires.

Here are some things that will help you identify your goals and desires through the lens of balance

1. Identify your goals and desires, and categorize them into different areas of your life, such as career, personal development, relationships, health, etc.

2. Evaluate each goal or desire in terms of its importance and potential impact on your overall well-being. Prioritize those most critical and will have the greatest positive impact on your life.

3. Consider your current circumstances and constraints, such as time, resources, and energy, and determine which goals are most feasible and achievable in the short term.

4. Create a plan or roadmap that outlines the steps you will take to achieve your prioritized goals, and set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets to help you stay on track.

5. Regularly review and reassess your priorities and adjust your plan as needed to ensure that you are making progress and staying on track toward achieving a balanced and fulfilling life.

One key aspect of priorities is knowing that the word no has to become one of your go-to words.

To achieve balance, you must let go of aspects of your business and work and delegate tasks.

You have to miss out on big conferences. You have to bypass the client dinners at times.

You also have to focus on caring for yourself. Your sleep is important.

Your health and well-being require rest and relaxation to have energy and endurance.

Remember that no is not taking anything away from you.

It’s simply giving you more space to say yes to what you want and desire.

Saying No Sets Boundaries

Boundaries are important in life because they help to establish a sense of self and protect our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Setting boundaries allows us to communicate our needs and expectations to others and helps to prevent us from being taken advantage of or being involved in unhealthy situations.

To set boundaries for yourself, it is important to first identify what your personal values and beliefs are.

This will help you to determine what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior from others.

Next, communicate your boundaries clearly and assertively to those around you. It is important to be consistent and firm in enforcing your boundaries.

The key is to remember that boundaries are not for others.

They are for you.

Boundaries allow you to set limits on where, when, and how you are spending your time and energy, and resources and are committed to what you are willing to commit to doing.

Boundaries will also allow you to remove the idea that you have to be perfect or things have to be perfect in your world for them to be purposeful and meaningful.

Final Thoughts

Balance is yours and yours alone. Step into it. Own it.

It’s ok not to be in the grind all the time.

You’ll still accomplish. You’ll achieve more.

And you’ll be able to have what you desire.

_____

My latest book, The Road Ahead and Miles Behind A Story of Healing and Redemption Between Father and Son is available for purchase.

About the Book

A story of a cross-country road trip taken during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Road Ahead and Miles Behind, shares the intricate yet beautiful nature between a father and son looking to reconcile their differences and amend a challenging past.

The Road Ahead and Miles Behind is full of inspiring moments and perspectives that demonstrate the healing power of hard conversations with those you love.

It's a story that will remind you it's never too late to have something with your parents.

Buy your copy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble