6 Ways to Balance the Spinning Plates in Your Life

I have discussed the idea of life balance many times in a past article series, in my workshops and regularly with clients. I give it so much attention because of its power- when you feel balanced you tend to have less stress and anxiety, and feel less like a circus juggler about to drop something. When I have less stress and anxiety I feel more satisfied and happy and I bet you do too.

Do you need more balance in your life? Here are 6 ways to increase balance:

Embrace your roles

If you have chosen to be a spouse and parent embrace those roles and the responsibilities that come with them, rather than resenting them. If you have chosen to be a leader in your networking group, association or church, embrace that role and give your best while you have that opportunity. If you have taken on too many roles, evaluate which ones are most important and prioritize those over the others. It may mean that you finish a commitment (e.g. officer position in your professional group) and then enjoy participating as a regular member with fewer responsibilities for a while.

Embrace your uniqueness 

Each of us has unique gifts (and quirks!) to bring to the table. Too often we women compare ourselves to others, especially other women. This can be a huge self-inflicted disadvantage. It quickly throws off our sense of balance and focus on what’s really important. Perhaps you have been resentful of someone else’s success or obsessed about how much more “together” she appears to be. You may even be trying to keep up with all the trendy, fashionable things that a coworker, friend or celebrity wears. All of this can be exhausting- not to mention painful to the bank account or credit card balance!

Give yourself permission to appreciate others’ uniqueness and positive attributes. Admire them, rather than resenting them. Use this to push yourself to be a better version of you.

Have focus and direction

Have a plan. Don’t wander aimlessly hoping you will achieve something or find happiness. Some people walk around with blurry vision. When my contacts or glasses need to be cleaned I can relate to this! Imagine thinking that being blurry through life is the way it is and that you cannot change it. Well, you can.

You can be clear on what things you are doing to move you forward and focus diligently on those efforts. Without focus on purposeful efforts that will connect you with your goals, you might feel a lot like someone who walks around with dirty eyeglasses or worse a very outdated prescription hoping they will find what they are looking for without adjusting their vision. She gets easily distracted by interruptions and requests, wasting valuable time. Get clear on your priorities and take steps forward that reinforce those priorities. When you are doing this consistently you will feel a greater sense of balance that you will want to welcome more often.

Seek the support of people who love you!

Talking with a friend, colleague or coach can help you when you need to get ideas, work through a challenge and be encouraged. They also can give you a referral to others who can take some of those tasks off your plate like housecleaning services, administrative or bookkeeping support for you business, and professional organization for your home or office. These simple steps can make a big difference in feel more balanced and less overwhelmed.

Feel passion for life or a particular interest

Do something you enjoy that fills you up. Get out and play. When I am not having enough play time I am not a happy chick. Think of what you enjoy and start including those activities in your schedule. Likewise, invest your time and support for causes you are passionate about. The feeling of making a difference is priceless, and when you take your mind off your own stuff for a while it provides a good perspective.

Laugh often

When is the last time you laughed really hard? Laughing is a great way to balance my life. I notice an instant stress release when I enjoy a good laugh. In fact, did you know that laughter can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems? Check out this article from WebMD.

“You grow up the day you have your first real laugh — at yourself.” – Ethel Barrymore