How To Find Balance When Life Gets Busy
Everywhere I look, it seems that being busy is a badge of honour, but I’d like it’s time to change that. Your brain needs rest to be able to function at peak performance so really, Balanced is the ultimate badge of honour.
No matter how hard we try, there’s always something that still needs to get done. If we can figure out how to let go of the things outside of our control, manage our priorities and make time for fun and rest we can majorly improve our productive output.
Here’s a list of what has to happen first:
First of all, be kind to yourself
Ready for something groundbreaking? You need to look after your inner-self to look after others. *Insert Gasp* If you’re burnt out, you won’t be able to help anybody out. Looking after yourself can be as simple as going for a walk or taking a bath, but sometimes it needs to be more than that too. Do the things that bring you peace.
Pro tip: Grab a pen and paper and do some free-flow journaling. Don’t focus on sentence structure, just let the thoughts roll out onto the paper.
Be okay with good, not perfect
If I'm being honest, perfection is an exhausting mindset. We end up losing out when we’re stuck in this frame of mind, feeling more stress and an even greater lack of balance when we can’t complete a task until it's perfect. Doing things well is better than spreading yourself too thin by trying to be perfect everywhere, sacrificing things along the way (in the name of peace, calm, health, wellbeing).
Pro tip: Give things your best, but balance it with something that brings you calm.
Get grounded
There’s a reason why getting out in nature helps reconnect with ourselves. Even if you can’t get out to a forest, try taking off those shoes and walking in the grass barefoot. The effects of “grounding” help you align with your senses and return to centre.
Pro tip: No one says you have to do this in silence; listen to a podcast or some calming music if you don’t want to sit in silent meditation.
Prioritise carefully
Think about all the things you “should” get done: will it really matter tomorrow if you’ve done everything today? Take the time to refocus your energy so that you can do the things that are worthy of your energy (psst. Your self-care and sanity should be prioritized!)
Pro tip: Each morning chose three tasks that MUST get done and make them non-negotiable. Your three tasks should be a mix of things you feel inspired to do and things you’ve been putting off (you will feel amazing once you accomplish them).
Think mindfulness
When I discovered Mindset mapping, it changed everything. It’s a way to visualize your ideas and goals to get a manageable sense of what’s going on. Mindset Mapping at its best is when you let your brain wander to think of the dreams you’ve always wanted.
Pro tip: Looking for some support? Registrants of The Organized Collective get an exclusive Mindset Planner to help guide progress towards the path you were meant to take.
Get comfortable with “No.”
You can’t do it all and that’s okay. Often, I find myself wanting to say yes to take stress off others, but then I remember I can’t be my best when I take on stress that doesn’t belong to me. Try to focus your energy on things that align with what you want and need. It’s okay to delay a coffee date if what you really need is some me-time.
Pro tip: Ask for help when you want to say yes, but know it will impact your ability to complete the tasks you’ve prioritized.
