The Secret to Balancestring(21) "The Secret to Balance"

September 24, 2015
, , , , , Balance 5

I am often asked the secret to finding balance in your life. How can you get the most out of work, life, friends, family, and all of your other activities?

Well, I’ve spent decades building a successful networking organization, and have raised a family. That being said, I have thoughts on the secret to finding balance, and the answer may surprise you.

You simply cannot have balance in your life. You can, however, find harmony, and I have three specific suggestions for how you can do it.

How do you work to find harmony in your life? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Don’t Know What You Want to Be?–Stick Your Tongue Out and Wave It Around . . .string(90) "Don’t Know What You Want to Be?–Stick Your Tongue Out and Wave It Around . . ."

June 11, 2015
, , , , , , Balance, Business, Conversation, Goals, personal story, Video Blog 1

In this video, I talk about the often difficult question of what it is we truly want to do in order to make a living and contribute to the world.

When my kids were young, I often took them to get ice cream as a treat. When they had trouble making a decision about which flavor they wanted, I told them that if they stuck out their tongue and waved it around, the answer would come to them.

As they got older and had difficulty deciding what they wanted to be when they grew up, I reminded them of their tactic for finding an answer to the ice cream flavor conundrum. In reality, I was simply telling them to experiment and feel things out, so to speak, in order to figure out what they were passionate about and what they would truly be happy doing.

The fact is, if you do what you love, you’ll love what you do.  I think it’s so important and it’s an important message for us as business people if we want to have a balanced life–a harmony, as I call it. 

So, what helpful things have you done when talking to kids or others in regard to what they want to be “when they grow up”?  Please share your experiences in the comment forum below.  Thanks!

Balance: Illusive and Elusivestring(29) "Balance: Illusive and Elusive"

April 7, 2014
, , , , Balance, Business, Health, Self Development, Strategy, Success 1

When we hear the term “work-life balance” we think about trying to spend an equal amount of time in all areas of our life.  The problem with that is that almost no entrepreneur can actually achieve that. While life can’t be fully in balance, it is possible to create a life that is in harmony with your vision.

WORKLIFEBALANCE

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Here are some simple techniques:

  • Wherever you are – be there. If you are at work, don’t be thinking about the time you didn’t spend with the family the night before, or what you should be doing with your “significant other” right now. When you are at home, don’t be thinking about the work you have to do at the office.
  • Be creative (about how you manage your time). If you have a big project at work that has to be done and you want to spend time with the family one evening – get creative. I used to spend the evening with the family and when everyone went to bed, I sat down to write my first book.  I finished the book without taking any time away from the family.
  • Integrate various elements of your life.  For many years I spent a couple weeks or more working remotely from my lake house. Now, I bring my staff and management team for short retreat/work days. The last week, I take off completely and spend time with the family. By integrating the two worlds I create a sense of harmony.
  • Practice “letting go” and “holding on.” Contrary to popular belief, I do not think it is possible to “have it all.”  Unfortunately, life involves making choices. Practice understanding what things to say “no” to and then letting go of them. At the same time think about the things that are truly important in your life and hold on to them with all your might.

What are some of the things you do to create harmony in your life?  I’d love to hear your thoughts so please share your ideas/tactics in the comment forum below.  Thanks!

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