On Monday I touched on the importance of slowing down and making sure your life is balanced before jumping onto your bike to race down the hill. Learning to ride a bicycle is a lot like life. When your training wheels are first taken off, you will fall. But then you learn the importance of starting slow and getting your balance before racing down the sidewalk or jumping off that ramp.
“Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep in balance, you must keep moving.” ““Albert Einstein
In talking about slowing down, we looked at three things: how busy you are, your level of passion and creativity, and your work vs. personal life balance. So now that we are slowed down, it is time to race. Look both ways first though!
Check your wheels. You read it right ““ check your balance. A life that isn’t in balance, whether it be with your personal and professional life and obligations or if you’re not spending enough time on your life passions, then your life is not in balance. Simple as that. You wouldn’t drive across the country without checking your tire pressure, so don’t do it to your life either. Check for signs that you are out of balance. Are you getting angry at the slightest provocation? Are dishes piling high in the sink? Do you suddenly find yourself out of dog food or toothpaste and squeezing the tube for dear life?
Fill up your tank. Okay, on a bicycle I know that’s not possible, but look at you. When was the last time you did something for you? Just you? Not work. Not your significant other or your kids or your pets or your siblings. Just you. We all need to have emotional energy in our tanks and spending time on you is the perfect way to do that. I love Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way – it talked about taking yourself on an artist’s date at least one hour per week to recharge. Go to a movie, take a walk in an unexplored neighborhood, eat at an exotic restaurant, finger paint…
Be your captain. You need to be your team captain. You’re the boss of your life. If you’re not happy, if you believe you life is not in balance, then you have the power to fix it. But you also need to create an amazing team around you. They can be there to check your wheels from time to time and remind you to fill up your tank. They might even help provide the motivation to keep the pedals moving and your life in balance. Think about who is on your anabolic team – and reach out to them. They are waiting for your call!
Now you’re on your way! In the end, living a life in balance is all about understanding yourself. But we’ll get into that. For now, enjoy the wind in your face. Happy Independence Day!
(flickr photo via kellfrick)
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