The Balancing Act
Let's be honest. Sometimes life feels like a balancing act. Kids, homework, careers, being a wife, and oh yeah, self-care. Is balance really attainable?
It depends on what it is you’re trying to balance. Too many balls in the air are just that: too many. Finding a life of balance starts with setting priorities. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you can’t be everything to everyone. Once you decide who and what are your top 3-5 priorities, juggling it all becomes a lot easier!
I’ve heard it said that when you are juggling too many balls, some balls are going to naturally fall. So, determine which balls are made of rubber and which are made of glass. The rubber balls are those things that may be hard to say no to, but if you do say no, the world won’t end. The glass balls are those things that are very important to you and that you will regret not doing--fragile things that require the best of you.
Once you identify the most important areas of your life, you can start to become not only steady but productive. Productivity starts with one little word: habits.
Creating healthy habits help keep you steady and consistent! One of the most frustrating feelings is being extremely busy yet not productive. You can thrive in the life you have; you don't have to wait until a different season or set of circumstances. The beautiful thing about creating habits is they can be fashioned to your life--whatever stage it's in--for productivity. All of a sudden you go from just making it through the day to taking control of your life!
The apostle Paul said, "All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that fades away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should."1 Cor. 9:25
The key to balancing and winning at all the responsibilities and callings in your life is to train yourself. Once you catch this principle, life becomes a lot more manageable and a lot more enjoyable! Creating habits sets you up to win. You are training yourself to succeed and prosper! Your flesh doesn't naturally gravitate towards discipline and hard work. It is the spirit of God within you that provides the self-control you need to succeed (Gal 5:22)!
As a child of God, it is absolutely necessary to get in God's Word every day! Start with just a few minutes if you have to, but get into the Bible! Pray. Prayer should be a habit that you do consistently! Not habitual as in a robotic prayer, but because it is your spiritual lifeline! Too often, we say we believe in God and prayer, yet we don't pray consistently, if at all. Make it a habit! Schedule it into your routine.
If you always wait until you have free time to do what is important, you will never do it! Structure your life for success! Structure brings clarity and purpose. The structure of constantly investing and prioritizing your time helps to cut the fat off of your schedule!
Take a minute and evaluate your schedule. Ask yourself, "What is important to me? What are the things I need to do every day to make me feel sane and healthy?" If you are tired of feeling like you are drowning in life, create good habits!
"Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." III John 1:3
God's desire is for you to be whole in every area, meaning that as you serve Him, you are healthy, of sound mind, and of a strong spirit! Your daily routine should help you invest in these areas.
Ask yourself, "What am I trying to balance? What are all the roles I play? How can I approach my life from an angle of thriving rather than just surviving? Am I busy or am I productive?”
For some, it may be exercise or reading a leadership book. For others, it may be engaging more with your family. Whatever it is, do it on purpose. Live in a way that you are running for the prize. Nothing you are doing is insignificant. If you invest and do it with all of your heart as unto the Lord, you will prosper!