Paradigm Shifts: The Quest for Balance
August 8th 2009 07:29
What's Your Plan?
What have you been doing or planning lately to give yourself a break from the rat race? What strides — or even baby steps — have you been making toward a more balanced, restful, peaceful life? Even if they haven’t yet been translated into action, what thought-pattern transformations — or paradigm shifts — have been occurring for you lately that have begun preparing you for action?
Permission to Be Human
Personally, I'm choosing to savor small successes, take smaller bites out of bigger tasks, and not allow all the things that still need doing to steal my joy over the things I've managed to get done. In other words, I'm purposefully focusing more on what I have accomplished than what I haven't. Whenever I do that, I usually realize that I've accomplished far more than I thought I had. But even when I haven't, I give myself permission to be human, to be imperfect, and not to beat myself up over it. If something doesn't get done today, tomorrow's another day. And it's perfectly OK for me (and you) to take some time out to enjoy life, relax, and savor the moment, and not be on task every minute of every day.
Mind Over Matter
It's a mindset, really. It doesn't mean you have any less work to do. It doesn't magically give you fewer responsibilities. It doesn't give you an excuse to ignore a job indefinitely. And it doesn't make you irresponsible. It simply means that in addition to work you're also willing to allow a little time for you. Because you're worth it! And because, when you're stressed out, overworked, and overwhelmed, you can't do your work effectively anyway.
It also means you take time out to focus more on the things that are truly important. In the grand scheme of things, will it really matter whether you do the research for that article right now or put it on your calendar for tomorrow or your To-Do list for later this afternoon so you can take a few moments out to call a friend or relative you haven't spoken to in far too long? Usually not. And what an incredible difference that simple gesture can make in your life and theirs. That's just one example of something far more significant than work. No doubt you can think of many others — if you'll pause long enough to think about it.
When You've No Choice But to Work
I understand you may be wrestling with looming deadlines — Believe me, I know them well! — and in such cases that all-important call may have to wait. But, my question is: Will you determine to make the call once you've finished? Or will you fall right back into the old routine, the pattern of thinking there's simply no time for such luxuries, that they can wait for a time when you aren't so busy? Allowing yourself to stop and smell the roses, connect with the important people in your life, and free your mind from the incessant demands of compulsive "doing" will bring new life, new vigor, and new inspiration to your work. Try it and see.
How Will You Break Free?
I've told you a few of the things I'm doing to alter my perfectionistic, inadequate - unless - continuously - overachieving paradigm and given you a few reasons why it's so important to do that. Now, my question for you is this: What will you do (or what are you already doing) to bring more harmony and balance into your own life and work?
To your freedom!
Jeanne
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Comment by Lillie Ammann
This is a reminder most of us can use. My goal is to keep Sunday free of work. My clients are used to my being available when they need me, but they know not to need me on Sunday.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
That's a great way to put aside some time for you and the things that are important to you. It also helps you set some boundaries with clients so they don't feel as if they own you. We really do need to have some time that's totally our own to do with as we please, and planning it out in advance and then putting it into our regular schedule as you do, ensures that it doesn't fall by the wayside when things get hectic.
Thanks so much for sharing your strategy with us!
Good to see you!
Jeanne
Comment by Brad Shorr
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
It's so easy to fall into the "workaholic" mindset -- especially for us more obsessive personality types. We often feel as if we're simply being responsible when we overwork (and, to be honest, we get a real sense of fulfillment and self-worth from that thought).
We also often feel as if we have little or no choice but to overwork, whereas in reality, if we really stopped to think about it and took the time to look at the big picture (or think outside the box, or whatever you want to call it), we'd usually find that our lives, schedules, priorites, etc. could be rearranged relatively easily to allow some time for the things and people that truly matter -- including ouselves!
If we are to remain at the top of our game in work and in life, we need to take the time to be refreshed, replenished, and inspired -- without feeling guilty about it. Otherwise, our work will reflect the sterile, formulaic mediocrity of so much work that's so rife on the Internet today -- work which was created by simply going through the motions -- without heart, without soul, without the spark of life that makes inspired writing so magical.
Thanks for your feedback! (Sorry to have gotten so carried away in my response! Guess I felt inspired!)
Jeanne
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Personally my life is very balanced right now between work, play (generally in the form of summer parties) and relaxation. I get to choose my own schedule and spend 4-8 hours doing writing-related stuff a day. But I know that come September and school I'll be busy first trying to get into a school, then if I do getting welfare and a place with my best friend, trying to keep my grades from falling apart and writing-I'm going to be overworked until December, but I'll survive.
~Dianna
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
So glad to hear your life is balanced right now. That's such a great feeling, isn't it -- so freeing! It's wonderful that you're able to devote so much time to your writing, yet still take some time for yourself. That's really so important.
Hope everything works out well for you (and your friend) once school starts back up again in the fall. Try to take at least a little time out for yourself (if you can) even while attempting to keep your grades up and your creativity flowing. It will help you stay inspired.
Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne
Comment by Karen Swim
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
You've described my own recent journey so aptly! And I'd have to say that it's so much easier to make this change of focus when God (in Christ) is in the picture! We can then truly be transformed by the renewing of our minds, as God tells us to do in His Word. Isn't it a wonderful privilege to be blessed with the mind of Christ? What a difference it makes in our lives, as we let His Spirit guide us into all truth and then determine to walk in that truth.
So glad to hear you've been experiencing this freedom yourself of late! God is good!
Thanks for sharing such edifying words!
Jeanne