Balance is Created by Living your Meaning and Purpose
The article title " Why it's important to develop a work-life balance"assumes that a balance is in order as if were universally true. Let us first review the Tony Randall comment about assumes when he said, " Assume makes an ass out of you and me".
Having said that, the title is placing the cart before the horse. The cart is our lifestyle, the horse represents living our lives with meaning that results in a balance that will provide a path less traveled.
The path less traveled is stated because we hear form segments of society that we need to create balance in our lives. So, a vast majority of people struggle with this unbalanced equation.
Suggested in this perspective is first meaning and then purpose in order to create a balance or a lack thereof as demanded by experts and society at large. Former professional basketball coach Pat Riley said, "Don't let other people tell you what you want".
The challenge here is discover what you find to find a balance that suits who you are. In this perspective the concentration will be on meaning and not purpose. Meaning is your vision and purpose is the action to meet it. Put another way, meaning represents your mission and purpose the goals to meet it.
The understanding and execution of your meaning will cultivate your balance. Here, the emphasis will be on understanding that plants the seed for execution. Here is a suggestion I have offered as a former professional development trainer.
1) Write a mission statement with the end in end. The end is how you wish to be remembered and what kind of destiny you will create. Here are three ideas for writing a mission statement. One is ask someone to deliver the eulogy at your funeral. What is being said about your life that is the balance of you. Your gravestone states birth a dash and death, The dash represents our meaning that created your balance. The second suggestion focuses on your success while you are still alive. A professional writer approaches you and wants to write a biography of your success. What do you want the world to read about your life? A third suggestion involves the fact that you have contacted a mysterious illness that begins in two years. Before your demise begins, how are you going to live each day?
When you complete this exercise, your purpose is accomplished by setting goals that meet your meaning. Balance is living your meaning and purpose!
