A Balanced Not So Balanced Life
Listen! Life has been chaotic since my last post. Therefore, it’s only fitting that I discuss my imbalanced life, as recommended by one of my friends.
Over the past eight months I redeployed, PCSd (Permanent Change of Station - moved across the country), managed two properties, planned a ceremony for my job, planned two birthday parties, dislocated from family for a summer training event, traveled, relocated post training, and a slew of other daily/weekly/monthly tasks/commitments. Just writing all of that has sis TIRED, okay!
The question is how do I balance all of this: specifically, being a wife, mother, Soldier, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and serial entrepreneur?
Let me first start by saying most of the time I feel imbalanced. I learned to embrace this imbalance and just prioritize my focus in seasons/proximity. Below are some TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) that I practice.
iCalendar and Google Calendar are my best friends. My memory isn’t the best so I set up multiple methods to stay on top of things. As soon as I schedule something I add it to my calendars (Side Note: I love the look of Google’s calendar; however, iCalendar is more convenient/efficient since I have an iPhone).
Notes and OneNote are also my bread and butter. At least once a week I sit down, prioritize, determine my ”seasonal” focus, and create a To Do list. For the longest I used Notes (iPhone App) and its checklist function. As I completed tasks, I would return to this list and check off my accomplishment.
CELEBRATE THE LITTLE WINS!!!!!!
I am now partial to OneNote. It offers more functions to help manage the different aspects of my life. I can create a Notebook, Sections within each notebook, and Pages within each section. OneNote offers a To Do page where you can easily label and add to the To Do list.
Earlier I mentioned I create a To Do list at least once per week. Truth is, I create and refine list multiple times a week. At the end of most days I revisit my list to see what I can check off and what remains. After this, I either keep this list and prioritize for the next day/week or create a new list including unfinished business and any new tasks for the next day. I usually keep a rolling list until I determine it’s too long, then I create a new list.
TIP 1: Create a To Do Section and label the Pages by week (I.e. 16-20AUG21 Tasks), this way you can keep track of all tasks across different aspects of your life for the week.
TIP 2: Tackle at least ONE task daily, big or small, and feel accomplished. You at least chipped away at the rock. In the same breath, be contempt with yourself when you fail to accomplish ALL or most of the tasks on your daily to do list.
The administrative part of balancing my imbalanced life is easy. Execution is the difficult part, especially with so many pieces moving/demanding my attention at once. The 7 Secrets of Successful People for Living a Balanced Life offer insight on how successful people measure their life-work balance in seven key areas: Physical health, Family, Social, Financial, Business, Civic, and Spiritual. I must agree that I consistently assess these seven aspects of my life, then use my administrative tools to manage/maintain a healthy imbalanced balance. Now, I have not perfected this healthy imbalance, some areas can use a little more work.
Yes yes I know, a lot right?! It is a lot, but I manage. By embracing my imbalance I am able to stay productive and creative to develop methods to address areas in my life that are imbalanced.
What I’m slowly learning and trying to include in my growth is that it’s okay not to be busy all the time and I need to include moments of living in the now. If I’m not busy, then I feel unproductive and slight anxiety because I know something may be piling up on my many lists. However, this year I am committed to embracing and living in the now.
The last TIP is for couples: Be sure to communicate, compromise, and share expectations/home tasks. Your cohesion is key to successfully balancing your individual and family life, in my honest opinion.
I hope you enjoyed this read. Please leave a comment below. I would love to know how you balance your imbalanced lives. I’m also receptive to additional tips/techniques.
As always, thank you for your time and support.
Great read. I do the same thing and always used the note app on Apple to write out task and thoughts but now you got me wanting to try OneNote. Continue to make time for yourself your mind and body needs it. And yes I love to stay busy as well as long as we’re not stressing over the work it’ll always feel like you have a purpose and accomplishments ahead. So work that magic girl, whatever the method may be.