Another Perspective On Balance

The straightforward approach of the military has always been refreshing in our society. They define a problem, create a solution, execute the solution and evaluate its effectiveness. That's why it was refreshing to read Lt. Colonel David Hook's Blog: Balance-Key to Avoiding Burn-out. (Lt. Colonel Hook is Commander, 5th Space Launch Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base)

So many of his comments are simple and yet very powerful. Early in the blog he writes, "Being able to manage a busy ops tempo with our personal life is both critical to a fulfilling life as well as for maintaining our personal readiness. Failure to find that balance can lead to burnout."

He then gives several recommendations to those in the Air Force-but are readily applicable to ALL of us. They are:

• Remember that while each of us is critical to achieving the mission, no one single person is irreplaceable.
• Train and cultivate your replacement so you can take leave without concern for the continued mission.
• Likewise, be a good wing man and be prepared to assume the responsibilities of your teammates.
• Recognize there's never enough time to accomplish everything that needs to be done.
• Understand your commander's priorities and know where he is willing to accept risk, and then do the most important things first.
• Lastly, time spent on your own health is always a good investment. Good fitness increases your resistance to stress and helps stave off burn-out.

Keen Insight From A Program Participant

Here's an insight from a participant in a Juggling Elephants keynote that we thought was brilliant. It helps explain the value of focusing on purpose in ALL areas of your life:

I attended your recent Juggling Elephants keynote. It was absolutely fantastic! I've known that we all must have balanced lives. I've also known that we all have a purpose here. Without realizing it, I thought that I had to take care of all of the separate areas of my life IN SPITE of my purpose. In the discussion of 'Juggling Elephants' and reviewing the acts to make sure they contribute to the overall purpose of the circus, that's when I realized that all areas of my life are actually connected to my purpose. Truly a light bulb moment for me! It gives meaning to the thousands of daily details called life!!!

-Debbie Morrison, US Navy CNIC

Bravo, Debbie. You get a big standing ovation from us.

Deep Thinking

Technology is great. I love that we can listen to music, check email, surf the Internet, check stocks/weather and can call anyone we want with a little portable device that goes everywhere with us. Anytime we have down time or are waiting for the next act in our circus we can be productive or enjoy a little entertainment.

But the flip side to this is that we can fill our time and our minds just about every moment in our day with something. When do we have time to think, ponder or contemplate? Do we take the time anymore to just listen to the thoughts going on in our brain or do we fill the time with music, email, social media, entertainment or the Internet? Down time is very important and we do need to take mental intermissions. But there is a balance where we need to sometimes hit the mute button and just think thoughts. It is important to turn off the distractions for some amount of time for "productive deep thinking" away from the mode of "doing stuff." What "ahas" have you found in your moments of solitude and reflection?

Remove as best as you can any interruptions (unplug the phones, log off the computer, close the door, tell everyone that you have an appointment with yourself for the next 30 minutes and can't be bothered unless the building is on fire). Have a list of items that you want to "think about." It could be a project you are working on, your family, your goals and dreams, strategy, a marketing plan, your next book, your career plan, who am I in the universe... and so on. Focus on one item at a time. Break the topic apart in your mind. Take notes. Listen for inspiration. Brainstorm. Stay focused. Maybe you only get through one item on your list. Allocate time each day to think.

If your day is so intense that you can't take the time to find a quiet place without distractions, be creative. What about during the commute? Turn the radio off and think while you drive. Put away the book, put in ear phones without turning on the MP3 player, close your eyes and think while riding the bus or subway. What about the time just before bed or when you are just waking up?

You don't have to think alone. Bring in your significant other or your work team on occasion. Pick a topic and brainstorm. There doesn't need to be an agenda. Think outside the box. Discuss vision. Are we on the right course? What should we be doing differently? What are we doing right? Write thoughts on the board. Be creative.

It is easy to fill our minds and our days with information, stuff that we need to do, stimulus and distractions. The goal is to carve out some time for focused...deep...thinking. You will be amazed at the "thoughts you will think."

Make 'Em Laugh

A simple lesson from the classic movie, "Singin' In The Rain." Three of the main characters in the film are tired and faced with a challenge at work. Donald O'Connor's character jumps into action, singing and dancing one of Hollywood's greatest numbers, "Make 'Em Laugh." All of this in an effort to cheer up his friends and colleagues, Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.

Is it time for you to jump into action and make some of the performers in your circus smile? What can you do to bring a smile to people's faces and lighten up a day? You don't have to be Donald O'Conner doing flips and jumping through walls. Here are some ideas:

• Buy a box of bagels on the way to work and celebrate, "Aren’t you glad it is Wednesday? day."


• Rent the movie "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" on St. Patrick's Day and watch it while eating corned beef and cabbage.


• Set up a "Nerf Hoop" in the office and play a mini 3 on 3 tournament during lunch. Nerf Hoops are great for games of "HORSE" as well.


• Celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day." Pass around a list of pirate language key words and phrases. Watch parts of the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean" at lunch. Create an iPod playlist of pirate music and play throughout the day. If you need a list of songs, email us and I will let you know my favorites.


• Hire a comedian from the local comedy club and ask them to do a 30 minute stand up routine for a "stand up meeting." Or, if you are on a budget ask everyone to bring one of their favorite jokes and share it. Keep a book of clean jokes on your desk and bring out when needed. You'll be amazed how many people will come to your office and pick up the book when they need a smile.


• Create a bulletin board where employees can post humorous articles, jokes and pictures.
  Record the Super Bowl commercials and show them on the Monday after. Let everyone vote for their favorites.


• Celebrate "Rivalry Week" and encourage people to dress up, decorate and celebrate their favorite teams. Make sure you keep it friendly.

To quote another favorite movie – Mary Poppins: "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find that fun and snap – the job's a game." (Just a Spoon Full of Sugar). Be creative. It doesn’t have to cost money or take a large amount of time. Take some of your ideas and try it at home and in your relationship ring as well.

Another Reason You May Be Juggling Elephants

On a calendar in a doctor's office I saw the following quote:

The root of being uptight is our unwillingness to accept life

as being different, in any way, from our expectations.

I found it quite profound because it describes so clearly another reason some of us become so overwhelmed with life-our expectations and reality are not in sync. We just feel like if we make that extra "super human" effort we will finally achieve _________________ (you fill in the blank.) Rarely do things work out that way.

Does this mean we shouldn't give our best effort and expect the best from others? Does this mean we should settle for mediocrity in our own pursuits and accept less than others? Of course not. What it does mean is that we need to allow for mistakes from ourselves and others. We need to realize that everything may not work out the way we planned-but it worked out better than if no plan at all was in place. Ultimately, what's the purpose of your circus-to have such lofty expectations of yourself and others that you always feel like a failure-or to see yourself (and others) as a work in progress?