Work life balance is a myth. It’s like saying, “I’m balancing my diet with protein and, you know, the rest of the stuff.” No wonder you’re burning out. With an overemphasis on just one of many slices of your life, it’s very difficult to stay consistent in the rest.
I find joy every morning. I get time with my kid on the way to school. I get time on the mat with my jiu jitsu community. I feel like I belong in these places and that feeling persists and permeates my work and other parts of my life.
I also get off balance. Long days and late nights trying to build a career.
My wife once sat down with me and told me, she noticed I wasn’t cooking the way I love to do, or organizing things the way I like. Things were off balance. I was solving for work, not life.
Work is important, capitalism is the water we swim in and rent is real. However, how often have you realized you stopped exercising, or talking to friends, or doing that thing you love to do? You’ve solved your life for work because the measure of success is well known: money, stability, maybe fame.
When you feel off balance, or burning out, or just “grey,” reframe the problem you’re solving.
Solve for joy and satisfaction in more than just one area.
It’s just as easy to measure.
1. Choose the areas that matter to you.
- Career
- Money
- Friendships
- Romance
- Mental Health
- Physical Health
- Spiritual Health
- Growth
- Education
- Home
- Environments
- Fun
- Leisure
- Parenthood
- Or choose your own
Career – set up a meeting
Friendships – send a text
Spiritual health – do a two minute mediation in the morning
Leisure – get a slice from that new pizza place
Health – get a salad with that slice 😀
3. Decide when you’ll do them.
Now you have a list of two minute things that will, over time, restore balance.
I know this sounds cliche, but I believe it deeply: you deserve it.
Leave a comment: What’s one area you will bring more joy/satisfaction, and what is the action?