Is balance worth striving for?

​Colleagues,
 
Kenny Parmenter is a long time reader, but also a wonderful human being working with our most vulnerable youth as a social worker with HIGHTS, located in Jackson County, North Carolina (my home). Last week Kenny shared, “I have been working a lot. I think this was needed to catch up, but I would like to put more time and energy into my home life, life/work balance.”
 
We have probably all said something like this, and volumes have been written on work/life balance. But what if achieving balance is the wrong goal?
 
There was a moment in time where I truly achieved a balance between work, family, and social life. Despite having achieved this mythical state, I wasn’t any happier. A big problem was that I was mediocre in everything. Instead of bringing me peace, balance left me feeling empty and inadequate. 
 
I can’t speak for you, but I thrive on peak performance, intensity, creativity, and collaboration. It is hard to achieve any of those when you are balanced.
 
Instead of trying to find balance, consider trying to juggle. Focus intensely on one aspect of your life. When you have achieved something, toss that aspect into the air and focus on a different aspect. This strategy allows you to enjoy focus, but to rotate that focus onto different areas of your life. You’ll never be balanced, but you might be more satisfied and have a bigger impact at work and with family and friends.
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick