Can you really balance it all?

Now that the summer months are upon you, it could be time to click the “pause button” on work, and on life. Just this morning, I had a great call with the head of a division at a children’s hospital here in the United States. After attending a program I presented a while back, this organization has implemented an alternating “off the grid day.” Certain employees are able to schedule and plan for a day (about every 4-6 weeks) where they are not to attend any meetings, and not to respond to any digital communication. It’s as if they are on vacation, but they are in the office.

There are big reasons to consider doing this, least of which is the focus it would bring to the 19 or 29 days “IN BETWEEN” those days to catch up. Also, imagine the ability to get things done in an 8 or 10 hour day, if you knew you were not going to be interrupted.

Summer time is always a good time to click pause, look around, and ask the big questions. I’ve got a few of them for you to consider at the bottom of this post. For now, however, take a moment and reflect on what the word BALANCE even means to you in the first place. There are a few ways to do this.

1. Look the word up in the dictionary. I did, so here you are: an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady; a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
2. You could also interview (informally, of course) 3-5 people you look up to and ask them what balance means to THEM. Their answers may give you some “food for thought."
3. Or, you could think this through in your own journal. Draft a mind map, or even go through the process of writing down a word that begins with each of the 7 letters of the word balance. 

• B: 
• A: 
• L: 
• A: 
• N: 
• C: 
• E:

There are a things I’d have you think about this month, as you’re working to enhance your skills as a leader, manager, community activist. You’re too important, and what you’re working on means too much for you NOT to be working at your best, and getting the most important things done.

You can read about them right here. In the meantime, here’s some advice on how you can think about achieving more balance in life and at work. As you consider this, remember to do the math. Numbers are magical; they help us quantify what we have and what we need, and they give us a very clear and present sense of reality. Some of the “math” I ask clients to do includes:

• How many meetings are you invited to each week?
• How many meetings do you schedule each week?
• How many inbound phone calls do you receive?
• How many outbound phone calls do you make?
• How much money is in your checking/savings account?
• How much money is in your wallet RIGHT NOW?

Now, will THESE be the exact questions that will get you moving? Are they the questions that you need to ask? Maybe…Maybe not. The important thing is to pause and do this kind of thinking.

How can I help?