The Fallacy of Balance
I have spent the better part of my 13 year coaching career talking about the importance of work life “balance”. Of late I have done an 180 degree turn away from that, coming to understand that it plays into a fallacy that we need to be different people in different situations. Who are we as a person, as a parent, as a professional, as husband or wife, and on and on and on. Lots of hats, lots of tension, lots of conflict. Ever try balancing on a high wire? It’s hard, strains lots of muscles, and is awfully precarious.
The alternative? If I am able to live a life of mindfulness and awareness, than it becomes about paying attention, noticing (therefore having to be present) and integrating who I am, not balancing different roles. I stay the same-it is the environment that changes. Of course there are adjustments that need to be made. But it is a lot less stressful than balancing. Try integrating and noticing. Mindfulness. Just a thought.
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