Many moons ago I attend a lunch where Meg Whitman spoke while promoting her book, The Power of Many. While her message about community was powerful, what resonated most with me was when she discussed balancing her life, work, family and other commitments. Essentially, for her, to be at her best and do her best work, she could not focus on more than “three things.” Be it work, family, writing a book, volunteering etc… her capacity was three. More than three, she was spread too thin.
I have issues with saying no (except when it comes to rubbing feet, anyone’s feet– Blah, YUCK, GROSS). I’ve been known to take on too much and let my personal well-being suffer. Typically sleep, diet and exercise are the first to go out the window. I also become extremely bitchy
I really think Meg was on to something with her “three things” philosophy.
In order for me to maintain my wellness (mind and body), I too cannot concentrate on more than a certain amount of things. And my number also seems to be three. I’m not talking about the small daily tasks that we all have to do in life or the small projects that pop-up and are blips on the radar. I’m talking about the larger areas of focus where I’m seeking success or growth.
When I look back in my life and reflect on when I was personally fulfilled and professionally successful, it was when I had equilibrium. I hit my sweet spot when I’m filling my days with value but, not over stuffing the preverbal 5 pound sack with 10 pounds of potatoes. In other words, I’m busy with things that matter to me yet I’m not so busy that I neglect my heath, friendships or my laundry. (Okay, maybe folding socks. That chore sucks; it ranks up there with rubbing people’s feet).
I remember the time I was back in Paralegal School. I was working, I was in school and I just started a new hobby, running at the gym, that I was focused on mastering.
Sure there were days that were hectic, days that I worked late and days that I would skip the gym to do homework (or vice versa). Yes, some days I’d come home tired or frankly was not in the mood to do much more than lay on the couch and watch reality TV (back then it was Real World or Road Rules, my taste in mindless TV has not changed much as I have grown older. Who’s excited for Vander Pump rules to return?). But it was the exception, not the norm. I had equilibrium in my life.
Nowadays, my three things are my home (and the living and breathing creatures who reside in it), work (that awesome place that I go to Monday through Friday where I get to exercise my professional acumen) and growing this blog.
I know this is not a novel concept, but when my days are not stretched, they run smoothly. I’m organized and productive; I make time for the gym, I have a plan for dinner and I get 8-9 hours of sleep each night. But most importantly, I have time to enjoy life. I can take time to shop for the perfect pair of brown boots, I can read a book before bed, I can cook dinner and do the dishes all in the same night. I’m not frantic, I’m rarely late and my mental clock is ticking on time. I’m neither bored with my life nor overwhelmed with a task list that never ends. I have free time. And, its awesome!
All of the pictures of me in this post are from times when I had balance. There is no denying the power that it brings and its effect on me, if anything, my smile.
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