Life Hangs In The Balance!

Life Hangs In The Balance!

Happy Monday!   I hope you had a great weekend...I know I did! What did I do so special?  I spent time with my family.   Faith had returned from 6 weeks in a Russian emersion program in California.  She was home and free on Saturday, so Natalie and I took her to lunch and we spent the afternoon together...we laughed, joked, caught up on life and had a great time. She was going back to her new apartment on Sunday and I had the idea of a group of us going with her for a spontaneous "house warming". She was so excited for everyone to see her first place.  As fate would have it, the wife and girlfriend of my boys couldn't make it, so it was  just the 5 of us...   That hadn't don't that in quite a while. That may not sound like a big deal except I had a "things to do" list the length of my arm... leg... neck...you get the picture. Publishing deadlines, time sensitive content, contracts...things that matter to my business.  More things than I could have completed if I had spent the whole weekend working.  But when the doors of opportunity presented themselves for me to spend time with people who matter most...I took it. The work...it will wait!  The deadlines...I will figure it out!  Being irresponsible?   No.  I simply understand that life hangs in the balance! Are you living a balanced life? Balance is key to a full, happy and joyful life.  Most people miss the concept of balance as they live out their lives in a series of "priorities". Chasing money for a while, then focusing on losing weight, and when it fits, being attentive to their spouse/family, etc.  The key to a life well-lived is pursuing all areas of the Fab Five (mental, physical, spiritual, social and financial), with balance, and progressing a little in each area every day.  Make no mistake, the Fab Five are interrelated, and pursuing one area to the detriment of others will create an imbalance.   Each area affects the others.   A majority of people put the most pressure on themselves financially. What usually happens in this single-minded pursuit, is they experience loss in the other four areas. If you are dealing with financial pressure it can be overwhelming as it presents a "get it now or else" ultimatum.   Playing with children, going on a date with your spouse, or visiting friends are things we will do "once we become successful". Life is about balance - finding time for those things that are too easily deferred. I know, because I have faced financial pressure...thankfully, I got through it and didn't loose anything...my health, my wife,.my kids...my joy. Time away from work should be filled with things that allow you to "decompress". You work hard and deserve to enjoy the time off, and the fruits of your success - even if with small pleasures!     You also have to make time for activities that focus on friends and family. It is too easy to get disconnected from the things that really matter. In The Sales Crumbs Trilogy, Erin tells Matt,   "I don't want us to be one of those couples who are financially successful, but matrimonially bankrupt."   It seems dramatic, but it happens - you probably know someone who is facing this dilemma right now (?).   I know it is just "Happy Monday" today, but I challenge you to do something special for yourself, your family and friends this coming weekend.  Yes, work hard the next 5 days.  Be productive, be effective, get it done, but connect with loved ones, hobbies and things you love this weekend, because...  Life Hangs In The Balance!   Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!