You’ve probably heard of the term work/life balance. However, I prefer the phrase work/life rhythm. Finding balance during life’s changing seasons is nearly impossible, yet maintaining a steady rhythm is always doable. Here’s what I mean:
1) Life is about seasons, and seasons are not conducive to work/life balance.
My life is multifaceted, and yours probably is too. For example, first and foremost, I’m a husband to an amazing wife and a daddy to six incredible girls. Depending on the season, I’m also a foster father, business-builder, writer, entrepreneur, marathon runner, and student (or at least a life-long learner).
For the past fourteen months, our family fostered two girls—bringing our total number of kids up to six. Of course, this change threw our lives out of balance as I devoted more time to parenting than ever before.
Then, there is the writing. Every time I publish a new book, my attention shifts to this new project. Some authors describe their books as “their babies.” And much like a baby, writing a book demands a ton of time and attention.
Finally, there are certain seasons of life where business-building requires additional effort. In each season, some areas need more focus than others. This demand for attention creates an imbalance.
2) In life’s changing seasons, essential work/life rhythms remain steady.
The good news is that even when work/life balance is impossible, essential rhythms can remain steady. However, finding this pace isn’t easy. For example, a few years ago, my wife Jenny came to me with a problem. She said, “Jed, I love that you are reaching so many people through the books you write. But when you write, it’s like you are in an entirely different world, and I fade away.”
Jenny was right, and I knew something had to change. That’s when I created a new work/life rhythm. For years, my pattern was to wake up at 5 am, brew a pot of coffee, open my laptop, and get as much work done as humanly possible. Yet, this left Jenny feeling unimportant.
The solution was simple. My morning routine would remain the same, with one critical pivot. Now, when I wake up, I passionately dive into work (in the way that us morning people do). However, the first time I see Jenny, I shut my laptop, and the two of us take a few minutes to joyfully connect.
Making this shift was simple once I knew what to do. But it also wasn’t easy to find. Discovering what I needed to do happened over a year. Of course, Jenny has always been more important to me than any project. But pausing my work to focus on her causes her to feel valued—especially during busy seasons.
3) A good coach can help you find your work/life rhythm.
I just told you how I found my connection rhythm. Now, allow me to share the story of finding my writing rhythm. For years I wanted to write a book but focused on the wrong actions. I was distracted by:
1) Building a social media following.
2) Improving my spelling and grammar.
3) Learning about the publishing industry.
While all of these actions have some value, none of them help me put words on paper. Then, I heard the phrase, “Writers write.” This phrase clicked, and the next morning I took action. I set my alarm for 5 am, brewed a pot of coffee, and began putting words on paper.
Fast-forward six years, and I’ve published 20+ books and sold over 100,000 copies. Fining my writing rhythm (much like finding my connection rhythm) was a game-changer. Today, I know that writers write, happy couples connect, and entrepreneurs identify their #1 priority and zero in on that!
Yet, none of this would have happened without that initial guidance. If you’re looking for a simple way to get started, be sure to check out my habits-based coaching.
4) Maintaining work/life rhythm is possible in all seasons.
In some seasons of life, Jenny and I spend an abundance of time together. In other seasons, my attention must turn toward writing, business building, or the kids. Rarely do we have a perfect work/life balance, and that’s OK. I’ve found my rhythm. In other words, no matter how busy life gets, God, Jenny, and my girls—the things that matter most—always receive my attention. Even if it’s only in small pockets of time, strategically placed throughout the day.
Studies show that professionals with a happy home life are up to 13% more productive at work than those who are unhappy. Work and home can’t be separated. Do you want to be more productive? Great, I’m all for it. The research suggests that getting into a good work/life rhythm (one where you are happy in both venues) is a great place to start.
Next Steps
As a coach, I love helping busy professionals identify what matters most and then form tiny habits that allow them to make progress fast.
- Would you like to identify your #1 priority at work and home? Great, I can help!
- Do you want to build productivity and connection routines into your life? Finding a steady rhythm has been a game-changer for me, and I’ve got a step-by-step process to help you accomplish this.
- Do you know what your rhythm should be but have difficulty maintaining it? Awesome! Set up your FREE coaching call, and I’ll gladly help you put together a plan for consistency—it’s one of my favorite things to do! Just click on the button below to find out more.
As you can see, work/life balance isn’t always possible. But keeping your rhythm is. I’d be honored to partner with you and help you find yours.
Continue The Conversation
What do you think of the idea of work/life balance? Is it possible, or is finding your work/life rhythm better? Have you found your rhythm yet? If so, what does this look like for you? Let’s dive deeper together. Simply continue the conversation in the comments below!
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