August 5, 2011

I hear it from writers almost on a daily basis. “I can’t find time or energy to write!” Or “If I take time to write, everything else falls apart!”

The idea of living balanced lives is popping up everywhere. It’s definitely a sign of the times and indicative that many feel out of balance. There are articles online for specific people (finding balance as a lawyer) and even websites for finding balance for your dog!

Take Time to Ponder

For your weekend reading pleasure and inspiration, here are some additional ideas and resources for rebalancing your life. [I'm not endorsing all these websites where I found the articles. Some are good, but some are not my cup of tea. The articles have merit though.]

• How to Live a Balanced Life has some good tips. I tried his “Five Golden Minutes” idea and found it very useful for something so simple.
• What is a Balanced Life? will make you think. I thought the teeter-totter example was good here (although we each must choose what to have at the center, or fulcrum, of our lives).
• When You Have No Margin Left: the Pathway to Burnout–the title tells it all!
• Balanced Lives at “Family Fountain” has some good reminders and tips, especially for people with children at home.
• Living with Less: the Importance of Margin gives the four areas where margin is critical.
• 5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance has some good strategies! Tip #5 is a winner you can start today.
• Balanced Life website articles include ten articles on various aspects of living a balanced life. There’s even a 12-week e-course you can take for $25.
• Living in the Margin (Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3) is one woman’s experience of living on both sides of the fence and the radical changes in her life by adding margins. She’s a homeschool mom.

Enjoy the articles. Just remember, though, that nothing will change unless we actually put into practice the suggestions and ideas. Start small. Choose one idea and put it into practice for a week or a month. Then add another one.

Even if you only add one new small balancing habit per month, that would give you a dozen new “balanced living habits” in a year. That’s bound to make a difference!

7 Comments »

1. 

   Good article. And thanks for the plug for Family Fountain.

   I read a few of the earlier posts, too, and like the theme you’ve been addressing year. I read Swensen’s book years ago and really enjoyed it. Occasionally I take it out for another look over. I think it may be time to do that again!

   Good blog.

   wb

   Comment by Warren Baldwin — August 5, 2011 @ 10:35 am

2. 

   Warren, you’ve very welcome–and thanks for your input on this critical subject. Ohhh, I wish I’d read this Margin book years ago too!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — August 5, 2011 @ 12:05 pm

3. 

   This post really spoke to me. I definitely feel most days that if I write something else will fall apart.
   Here’s another good thought on Margin – there’s this book “One Minute for Myself” (I can’ think of the author just now, will check & post the info)
   It really works, when I try to take 1 minute, I usually end up with less than 1 minute & feeling better.
   Cheers
   

   Comment by Ally M — August 5, 2011 @ 2:41 pm

4. 

   Ally, what a good point. So often we think we need big chunks of time (to write, or for ourselves to rest). I would never have thought of taking just one minute. I will look for that!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — August 7, 2011 @ 2:07 pm

5. 

   Found it:
   “One Minute for Myself: How to Manage Your Most Valuable Asset” Spencer Johnson
   It’s available on Amazon.
   I was looking for my copy over the weekend and have decided that I may need to acquire a new copy for myself.
   Cheers
   

   Comment by Ally M — August 8, 2011 @ 8:39 am

6. 

   “When you have no margin left” was a handy checklist – I’ve been down that road and the list of warning signs is so accurate! I passed them on to a friend in need at the moment.

   Comment by Sherryl — August 10, 2011 @ 2:20 am

7. 

   Ally, thanks for the full title of the book. I will definitely look it up!

   Sherryl, I know this is a subject dear to your heart and mine. It’s a road we’ve BOTH been down–and stuck on–for too long. Hope your friend is helped by the article.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — August 10, 2011 @ 12:36 pm

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