Absolutely! The unhelpful promise of “work-life balance” is that if we spent a bit more time doing one or the other we’d experience some “ahhh” of life feeling just right.
But balancing is a constant readjustment, not something ever achieved. And our friends, families, passions, and careers deserve everything we can give to them. And we can’t ignore the need to give to ourselves. So there’s never the “ahhh” of knowing that you’re spending just the right amount of time on each thing.
A better intention is to be the kind of person who, whenever and wherever you show up, is the best version of yourself you can muster in that moment. And learning how to make “the best version of yourself” keep getting better. More heart, more focus, more love, more dependable, more creative, etc. That’s enough of a challenge for a lifetime.
This was fantastic, Dr. Boardman. Just the reminder I needed today too. I do not want to live a life of rushing and overwhelm and impatience. Making peace with the fact that you may not have a life in perfect balance but can have a life filled with important things, using the tactics you share, is an important reminder.
FORGET WORK-LIFE BALANCE ARTICLE & THE BOOK 4000 WEEKS, SHE REFERS TO, VERY AWAKENING, & THE TRUTH THAT LIFE FLIES BY SO FAST & FINALLY TRYING TO GET ONE’s REAL PRIORITIES RIGHT IN THE TIME REMAINING SO WELL EXPLAINED BY HER
IN MY LIFE, 85% has FLOWN BY of the 15% remaining hopefully with great health and quality of life, try to focus on what really matters and not one more thing to do, BUT family, friends, fun, LAUGHTER, sleep quality, exercise, HEALTHY LIFE STYLE ETC
& MOST IMPORTANTLY LESS ABOUT I OR ME, & MORE ABOUT BRINGING SELF ESTEEM TO OTHERS, & WHAT ONE CAN DO FOR OTHERS
Oh yes, all of this! When I read "Four Thousand Weeks," I must have remarked at least a hundred times to my husband that "This guy is reading my mind! He has crawled inside my head and it is freaking me out." I finally felt like someone else really understood what it was like to be me. When I read "Everyday Vitality," I had a similar but distinctly different response, which was that Samantha had crawled inside my head and was telling me how to head toward who I would like to become.
The quality of how time is spent is one thing that is precious to all and doesn’t discriminate
Broaden and build beautiful quality of time, life exceptionally well spent- these are the good times- will it become a fond memory?- is it significant enough to spend time on?- what’s worth our attention?
Get as much beautiful quality of time out of life as you possibly can, not simply to be called, “a success.”
Experience extraordinary- discover, explore, engage- adventure- dive into your desires
ceremony, meditative experiences, flow and the zone, comforting experiences, a comfy bed
a beautiful satisfying task- a hobby
Time spent in a cool way- with a rhythm- with a maturity of feeling like a great work of art
Small wins- progress brings happiness- time well invested- pursuits we value
Host an experience- something interesting to enjoy and spark off and take advantage of the experience
And lastly, a harmony of things- not a perfect balance- enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning- alignment- combinatory creativity.
Nobody on their deathbed ever said, “I wish I had spent more time on social media.”
I think in years this will be the growing regret of many people in 10–20 years if not already. So many are sleepwalking and missing 90% of potential interactions with family AND friends. They also won’t say “I wish I let me kids spend more time on social media”.
Absolutely! The unhelpful promise of “work-life balance” is that if we spent a bit more time doing one or the other we’d experience some “ahhh” of life feeling just right.
But balancing is a constant readjustment, not something ever achieved. And our friends, families, passions, and careers deserve everything we can give to them. And we can’t ignore the need to give to ourselves. So there’s never the “ahhh” of knowing that you’re spending just the right amount of time on each thing.
A better intention is to be the kind of person who, whenever and wherever you show up, is the best version of yourself you can muster in that moment. And learning how to make “the best version of yourself” keep getting better. More heart, more focus, more love, more dependable, more creative, etc. That’s enough of a challenge for a lifetime.
You are such a treasure of common sense solutions and positivity that is
Absolutely. And moving towards work that you actually can be content doing and feel good having done it, helps a LOT.
This was fantastic, Dr. Boardman. Just the reminder I needed today too. I do not want to live a life of rushing and overwhelm and impatience. Making peace with the fact that you may not have a life in perfect balance but can have a life filled with important things, using the tactics you share, is an important reminder.
Fantastic summary of life priorities,
IN Dr BOARDMAN’S
FORGET WORK-LIFE BALANCE ARTICLE & THE BOOK 4000 WEEKS, SHE REFERS TO, VERY AWAKENING, & THE TRUTH THAT LIFE FLIES BY SO FAST & FINALLY TRYING TO GET ONE’s REAL PRIORITIES RIGHT IN THE TIME REMAINING SO WELL EXPLAINED BY HER
IN MY LIFE, 85% has FLOWN BY of the 15% remaining hopefully with great health and quality of life, try to focus on what really matters and not one more thing to do, BUT family, friends, fun, LAUGHTER, sleep quality, exercise, HEALTHY LIFE STYLE ETC
& MOST IMPORTANTLY LESS ABOUT I OR ME, & MORE ABOUT BRINGING SELF ESTEEM TO OTHERS, & WHAT ONE CAN DO FOR OTHERS
HV
Oh yes, all of this! When I read "Four Thousand Weeks," I must have remarked at least a hundred times to my husband that "This guy is reading my mind! He has crawled inside my head and it is freaking me out." I finally felt like someone else really understood what it was like to be me. When I read "Everyday Vitality," I had a similar but distinctly different response, which was that Samantha had crawled inside my head and was telling me how to head toward who I would like to become.
So helpful I took the *time* to print it out and consider it time well spent. Thank you!
The quality of how time is spent is one thing that is precious to all and doesn’t discriminate
Broaden and build beautiful quality of time, life exceptionally well spent- these are the good times- will it become a fond memory?- is it significant enough to spend time on?- what’s worth our attention?
Get as much beautiful quality of time out of life as you possibly can, not simply to be called, “a success.”
Experience extraordinary- discover, explore, engage- adventure- dive into your desires
ceremony, meditative experiences, flow and the zone, comforting experiences, a comfy bed
a beautiful satisfying task- a hobby
Time spent in a cool way- with a rhythm- with a maturity of feeling like a great work of art
Small wins- progress brings happiness- time well invested- pursuits we value
Host an experience- something interesting to enjoy and spark off and take advantage of the experience
And lastly, a harmony of things- not a perfect balance- enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning- alignment- combinatory creativity.
That is time well spent in my opinion....
Truly helpful !!!!!
Nobody on their deathbed ever said, “I wish I had spent more time on social media.”
I think in years this will be the growing regret of many people in 10–20 years if not already. So many are sleepwalking and missing 90% of potential interactions with family AND friends. They also won’t say “I wish I let me kids spend more time on social media”.
Such wise words on several levels of understanding .......and how we humans should aim to conduct our lives for the enhancement of mankind! Thank you!