Volume 4, Issue 8 - August 2003

Our Life-Long Balancing Act
By Rhonda Scharf (Finniss)

It seems that balance in life is becoming harder to achieve these days. Why is that?

First, let's think about what exactly balance means. The way you interpret balance will be specific to you - and may be very different from the way I interpret balance. Here are some explanations of balance I've heard recently:

• having time to sit still and do nothing for 30 minutes a day;
• being able to do one or two extra-curricular activities each week;
• being able to wake up and not feel overwhelmed by my day's planned activities; and
• having the flexibility to attend my children's Christmas concerts and field trips and so on.

I may feel balanced when I can sleep at night and not dream about work. You may feel balanced when you have time to get to the gym. It's important for you to define what balance means, in order for you to be able to find it in your life. Once you are clear on your definition, it becomes much easier for you to make it happen.

Here are some big questions. Think about them over the next couple of days. They will help you determine your definition of balance.

• What is important to you, that you would like to have more of in your life? How can you make more space for these things in your life?
• What are the things that take up too much space in your life? How can you reduce the space these things take in your life?
• What does the 'perfect' day look like to you?
• If you could start your life over again, what would you do differently and why?

Once you have taken the time to really think about these answers, you will find yourself a little closer to defining balance for you. Once you've defined balance, then you can start to make time in your life to achieve it.

Rhonda Scharf (Finniss), CSP is a Certified Professional Speaker, Trainer and Author and President of ON THE RIGHT TRACK - Training & Consulting and is available to deliver customized training programs or keynote speeches at your next convention. Call her today at 1-877-213-8608 or e-mail Rhonda@on-the-right-track.com. Why not take a moment and sign up here for her complimentary quarterly newsletter.