All great points. When I use the term balance I am assuming the “best” – that if someone is spending time with their kids in an attempt to be more balanced, they are really “present” during that time; that there's a calmness, an “acceptance” of what needs to be done now (i.e., sacrifices) until things can get more on track to the ideal (whatever that may be).

But I agree that if those “best” conditions are not present (and unfortunately, more often than not, they probably aren't – and why, as you state, the term can oversimplify the challenge), just putting in time creates only an appearance of balance, and if there isn't an acceptance that things are OK as they are even when not in balance because that's just the way life is, that can create a great deal of stress.

Thank you for making me think about these assumptions – they're important to keep in mind.

Claudine

All great points. When I use the term balance I am assuming the “best” – that if someone is spending time with their kids in an attempt to be more balanced, they are really “present” during that time; that there's a calmness, an “acceptance” of what needs to be done now (i.e., sacrifices) until things can get more on track to the ideal (whatever that may be).

But I agree that if those “best” conditions are not present (and unfortunately, more often than not, they probably aren't – and why, as you state, the term can oversimplify the challenge), just putting in time creates only an appearance of balance, and if there isn't an acceptance that things are OK as they are even when not in balance because that's just the way life is, that can create a great deal of stress.

Thank you for making me think about these assumptions – they're important to keep in mind.

Claudine

The second is the implication that you can somehow “quantify” your focus on a given area of concern in your life, and the resulting effort to measure this focus. The easiest way is by measuring the time spent on a given priority. But time is a poor measurement of the quality and impact of your efforts, so can lead to a false sense of balance or, even worse, imbalance. I know a great many people who work longer hours than I do, yet are less focused and productive during that time so are less effective at their jobs. Similarly, I'm sure there are many people that spend a lot of time with their family but have their mind on work, and that too results in less “efficient” time.

I don't have an issue with the idea of balance in addressing your priorities. I just think that the term oversimplifies the challenge. And you are correct in stating that “balance” does (and should) mean different things to different people; what I might consider an unbalanced life may be perfectly appropriate for someone else (though there are certainly extremes that show a clear lack of balance).

Greg

Looking forward to reading more of your posts, everywhere!

And how funny that you have avoided the word balance and I used it in my comment to you on Leanne Chase's blog. I think the error in using the word balance is in the assumption that balance must mean equal effort and focus between life and work (and all the other things in between). When in reality, all balance really is is about is making time for what's important – for some, that may be mostly work, for others, mostly family – and in some cases all work or all family. So, out of balance for one person may be perfectly “balanced” for another.

I believe that knowing what that “ideal” balance is for us, and striving to get back to that balance is part of what can help keep us content and feeling grounded while we're making sacrifices to fit the realities of life.

Claudine