Have you ever gone through a golden period? Where everything you touch turns to gold, while at the same time you feel as though something is missing? This may be a result of a lack of balance – a void.
In this article, I will share some ideas for you to consider as you work towards living a balanced life.
My three pillars for balanced living are Spirituality, Family, and Business (SFB). Think about this for a moment: what if you can give one hundred percent in all three areas?
Let’s use an example. Think about Michael Jordan. Jordan was known as an athlete who trained extremely hard and as a result, he was the best when he played basketball.
Apart from his training, he studied the game, he became at one with the game; his body was very ready and so, too, his mind.
Desire or Goal
This did not happen by chance. It happened because this is what he wanted, and he prepared himself both mentally and physically.
We have heard the stories of his work ethic when it came to basketball; he worked very hard to be the best when he was in the game and he succeeded.
When it comes to setting and hitting targets in sports, Michael Jordan understood how to apply the success formula. For him it was not just a desire, it was a goal.
Mike’s story tells me that having a clear vision of your goal is not enough; you need to put in the required effort for your goal to become a reality.
Vision and Mission
It is said that an organization should have a Vision and Mission statement; the Vision statement speaks to how they see themselves in the future while the Mission statement speaks to how they act now as they work to accomplish their vision.
Britt Skrabanek wrote a post entitled: “Difference Between Vision and Mission Statements: 25 Examples”, and it is a must-read if you want a clear understanding of the Vision and Mission Statements.
Even though her article focuses on companies, as you read it I’d like you to picture putting together a Vision and Mission statement for your spirituality, family and, if you don’t have one for your business, get one.
As individuals, we can also accomplish greatness in the three areas of Spirituality, Family, and Business.
Living A Balanced Life
Are these three areas important to you? If so, why? If it is really important to you then you need to put in the required effort to accomplish your goal.
Did Michael Jordan have a vision of what he wanted? When he played, did he play as though he was on a mission? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes and yes! SFB are three separate areas, yet they are connected.
If we can apply equal amounts of passionate effort to each area, then we stand a very good chance of living a balanced life.
Passionate effort means that you are giving your all when it comes to your spiritual life, your all when it comes to family life, and your all when it comes to your business life.
Reset
Change is sometimes hard; even though changes are required and inevitable, sometimes it’s just hard to do, in spite of the benefits we can get from it.
As human beings we have the ability to adapt; however, it’s not something we enjoy doing all the time. There are times when we have no choice but to adapt.
Without a doubt, 2020 was such a year for some as a result of Covid-19. We worship differently, family life was altered, and some businesses operated differently.
It is an excellent time for us to do some deep introspection as it relates to worship, family, and business.
Purpose
In my first post for 2021; I highlighted a few people who started new businesses online in 2020 because of Covid-19.
While the lockdown and social distancing close some businesses, some individuals adjusted quickly to ensure income continued. Luke Guru took his business as a fitness instructor online, and our closed borders no longer affected him. Jerome Harrylal, a graphic designer, turned an unrelated hobby into a business.
Even big organizations found a way to operate differently in order for them to survive. Who knows? If not for Covid-19 these changes might never have occurred.
Trigger
Every now and then it takes something – a catalyst – to bring about change. For many, Covid-19 was the trigger.
When it comes to business sometimes we act faster because not acting can bring about financial losses. What about your family life? How did Covid impact your family life?
On a wide scale, the impact on family life was tremendous; couples with children had to find a way to work from home while managing online schooling.
I especially wonder about single parents and how they coped with the change wave. How they are still coping.
Tag Team
My household also had some adjustments to make. My mother-in-law now stays with the children on Mondays and Wednesdays, I work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on Friday my wife is with them.
Initially, it was hard because I worked from Monday to Saturday, but now it’s much better.
When it comes to writing your Mission statement for family it may be a little difficult to write, because you may have to cater for what is proving to be constant daily changes.
However, remember your Vision statement; we are not only looking for success in business, but also in family. We’re looking to live a balanced life.
Spirituality
Did the events of last year have a negative effect on your spiritual life? Are you satisfied with where you are with God and in Christ? What adjustments are required?
A Vision and Mission statement is also required for your spiritual walk.
In my last blog, I mentioned that families usually come together for weddings and funerals; well, it’s the same when it comes to our walk with God – for some, they only remember God at weddings and funerals.
Conclusion
Spirituality. Family. Business. Let’s work on these three areas over the next week.
Reflect a little on the past and see where you need to make adjustments. Start to prepare a Vision and Mission Statement for all three areas of your life; while keeping in mind your goal of living a balanced life.
If you have not purchased “The 12 Week Year” yet, do it now; you will get some good ideas from it. We will continue in my next post.
