How to Create More Balance

Some people say there is no such thing as balance. Some swear by it. I’m curious, what do you think? Do you think it’s possible to live a balanced life?

In this week’s podcast I will share my thoughts on balance and give you some tips you can implement immediately to start feeling more balanced and peaceful.

If you would like more inspiration, download my Ultimate Guide for Guilt-Free Self-Care HERE!

​And join us in The Life Designed Community on Facebook!

TRANSCRIPT

​Welcome to A Life Designed.
 
My name is Tina Haisman. I teach busy moms how to get everything done and still have time and energy for themselves. My passion is for helping women create more heart-to-heart connection with their husband and children so they can feel deeply fulfilled in those most important relationships.
 
The topic of today’s podcast is How to Create More Balance
 
But before we get started I want to let you know I have created a free download call the Ultimate Guide to Guilt-Free Self-Care. I’m really proud of this guide. It’s a Guide to help you take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit so you can feel like your best self every day. And that topic goes just perfectly with our theme today! Visit my website tinahaisman.com to download it.
 
Also, I have a FREE private group on Facebook where you can come to get inspiration for your life. It’s called A Life Designed. It’s actually a happy place on Facebook. I hope you’ll join us!
 
Now let’s Dive IN!
 
How to Create More Balance
​
It’s funny to me how balance is such a controversial topic.
 
Some people say there is no such thing as balance. Some swear by it. I’m curious, what do you think? Do you think it’s possible to live a balanced life?
 
I do think it’s possible to live a mostly balanced life. So, today I’ll share my thoughts with you.
 
First, keep in mind balance looks different for each individual person. So, don’t judge your life by watching what you think others are doing.


Also keep in mind that balance is constantly shifting and changing throughout our lives.
 
And so for some seasons of our lives, we will have to focus more heavily on certain things than others but that we can shift that balance back when we’re ready.
 
I think they key to feeling more balanced is focusing on your priorities.
 
If you think about it - what makes us feel off balance is when we allow ourselves to be taken away from our priorities for extended periods of time.
 
For example, my priorities are faith, family, career. That list should drive how I spend the majority of my time.
 
But as you are well aware, all too often, other things we “think” are important weasel their way into our to-do list. It’s a daily problem, right? I hear ya.
 
I thought I’d share with you how I keep my priorities as my focus. The key is really planning. I know planning is a pain in the butt, however flying by the seat of your pants is far more troublesome for me.
 
So, I like to take my life one week at a time. I do a brain dump at the beginning of the week and write down everything that needs to get done.
 
Then I sit down with that list and my calendar, and I plan my week out.
 
As many of you know, the first thing I do every day is spend time with God. I mean, how are you supposed to carry out your day without checking in with God to see what he has in mind for you, right? Talk about keeping your priorities straight. This little practice of mine definitely helps with that!
 
I get up at 5 a.m. to pray and workout, then I shower and get ready for my day to take care of my family and work.
 
As a side note, I will say that it’s not that I like getting up at 5 a.m., but what I like is the end result. Usually by 7:45 each morning, I am showered and ready for whatever the day might bring my way. I love that! It motivates me to keep going.
 
So, the next things that go on my calendar are the things I need to do to take care of my family. You know. Driving kids to school and activities, and spending time with them.
 
Then, I put in the time I need for client appointments and working on my business.
 
Then, I put in some time for relaxation and fun. This is really important and something a lot of people don’t do.
 
Then, I can see if I have time for volunteering or anything like that.
 
So, I do have to say no to things that are great causes or that I might actually like to do, but I have come to understand that there is a time and a place for everything. We can do everything we want to do in our lives, but maybe not all at the same time.
 
There are SO many good things to say yes to in life. Volunteer opportunities are available around every corner.
 
But sometimes as moms, we have to remember that our biggest most important ministry is our family.
 
But what I see a lot of well-meaning moms doing is taking on so much outside of their family, that their family suffers. Kids get cranky. Mom gets cranky.  Things fall through the cracks more easily. It’s kind of a recipe for disaster.
 
I just recently had coffee with a friend who had found herself overscheduled. She was really feeling the impact on her family, and she knew something needed to change.
 
She was struggling with it though, because she wishes she could do everything. All of the things she had said, “yes” to were things she really enjoyed. So, it’s hard sometimes to say, “no,” when we wish we could say, “yes.” But as we all know Lisa TerKeurst encourages us to say our BEST YES. She wrote a book by that name, I’d totally check it out if you haven’t already read it.
 
So, remember our priorities can be our balance guide. If we want to keep our priorities in line, we need to take the time to discern if saying yes is right for us right now.
 
My friend Rebecca shared this quote with me!
 
The quote says, “I don’t have the time doesn’t literally mean every second of my schedule is accounted for, but rather, I’m giving as much of myself as I’m currently able to give.”
 
Don’t you love that? When we say no to something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is already something booked on the calendar for that exact time, but it might mean that we need that whitespace.
 
And that’s OK. You don’t have to feel guilty for that. And I think you’ll feel less guilty when you know what your priorities are. When you know that you are saying NO for good reason.
 
My mother-in-law assured me of this truth years ago when I was struggling as a stay at home mom while watching other friends soar in their careers.
 
Part of me wanted that too. But, ultimately, what I wanted more was to be with my children, and so it goes back to our priorities, right. There is a time and a place for everything.
 
Luckily for me I was able to find a way to still pursue my career – by freelancing from home. It was enough to keep me going!
 
My attitude on this is that we only get one shot at this life. Let’s do our best to live intentionally and keep our priorities at the forefront of our lives.
 
I hope this has been helpful.
 
If I had to summarize my advice I’d say, first, figure out your priorities. Plan your schedule accordingly and don’t be afraid to say no!
 
I know this is easier said than done, so if you would like to know more about how I can help you stop worrying, reach out to me for a complimentary discovery call. I would love to guide you.
 
And hey! If you love this podcast, will you go on over to iTunes and rate it for me? That would mean so much to me!
 
Thank you! See you next time!