Life can’t be Balanced, so Don’t Waste Your Time Trying to Balance Life

Work-life balance is a buzz phrase in the 20th century, and lots of discussion surrounds exploring how individuals can achieve a work-life balance, but is achieving work-life balance really possible?

Imagine leaving home in the mornings. You try to take everything with you to the car, and in doing so, something gets left behind, or things start to fall. You end up making two or more trips to the car. You forget your glasses, your phone, your wallet…

If we were to make a list of all the things we need to do, we would realise that it is impossible. In trying to do it all, we get weary, even sick. In trying to do it all, we create the ‘compounding effect’. In the Compounding Effect, there is a goal that you want to accomplish, but in planning your steps to that goal, you add many activities that also need to be done. These activities don’t stop you from attempting the first goal, instead you add it to a list, and connect it to the original goal. When we think in terms of the Compounding Effect, we get very little done. Instead, we have sleepless nights, missed deadlines, frustration and unhappiness.

To avoid the Compounding Effect is to avoid trying to balance life. Instead try the Bucket Effect. The Bucket Effect allows you to do everything, while prioritising. To simplify this concept, we will use an example. Imagine that you have seven categories of activities that should have your full attention every day. These activities may include your job or business; your spouse; your children; your physical health; your spiritual health; your extended family (elderly parent), and a passion. All of these things are very important to you, but only one or two of them get your attention 90 per cent of the time each week. The rest usually get some of your attention when you can. So how can you do it all? Take the steps below:

Step #1: Visually create seven (7) buckets each week.

Step # 2: Label each bucket with the important categories, i.e. My Job, My Spouse (his/her name), Child #1 (his/her name), etc.

Step #3: Every day of the week decide on the percentage of your time that you will give to each category. Consider that you only have 17 active awake hours and seven (7) hours of sleep time, as you plan. Here is a daily bucket list example:

Tips to maintaining a successful Bucket List

1. You can do two things at the same time without compromising on either of them. For example, you can go jogging or walking with your partner. You will get exercise, and spend time with your partner at the same time.
2. Once you have successfully assigned your times, be deliberate about what you will do in each category, every day. This will ensure that you make the best use of your time.
3. Create an overall goal for your life, and ensure that your bucket list and the time that you allocate to each bucket are aligned with that goal.
4. Get help with creating clarity about your goals and buckets to ensure that you are on the right track. Getting a coach who will provide one-on-one guidance is the best route to success.
5. When time is up with one category, move to another category.
6. Finally, be flexible with your bucket list without compromising your overall goal.

Review what you have created and make sure that you are comfortable with your list. By making a weekly list, you can adjust each week to ensure that you are using your time wisely, and that each bucket is getting the attention it deserves. Ensure that your bucket list is allowing you live the life you truly want, and is helping you reach you desired goal.  Happy bucketing.