The Balancing Act



Your body is like an engine, and every engine needs fuel and maintenance in order for it to work properly.  Don’t make the mistake of letting your engine fall into bad repair.  Take time to prioritize your work and success will follow.  What does a successful leader and a high wire walker have in common?  They all need balance to be effective.

Begin your balance journey by figuring out what your values and priorities need to be.  Think of your life as a series of circles, arranged around a center circle.  The center circle is you.  If you’re running around touching each circle with your hand as you go by, you’re off balance.  But if all those circles are touching your center circle, touching not only you but each other also.  Then you are in balance.  A balanced life is all about the body, mind and spirit being in sync.

Taking care of your body is essential and healthy eating is very important for your well-being.  Limit intake of foods that are hard to digest and avoid processed foods.  Keep yourself re-hydrated as your body depends on your water intake to function well.  Physical activity is important for overall well-being.  The mind needs to be challenged with new ideas and activities.  We are social beings, created for and performing best in the company of others.  Get out there and meet new people, share your experiences and learn from others.  Make time for loved ones, be encouraging, and make a positive contribution in someone else's life.  Take some time out of your busy schedule, just for yourself, to do something creative and enriching.  And of course nothing will happen if you don’t have the desire.  You will need to get out there and just do it.  Having a positive attitude towards life is a key requirement for a healthy spirit and a strong mind.  Take the time to dream, plan, prepare, and set goals for your life, no matter your age. Giving hope and encouragement for tomorrow.

Once you achieve a balance, it has to be maintained.  If you are wondering how you will fit everything in your life, there is an answer.  Take time away from busy work and use it for things like exercise, meditation, art, music, socializing or taking a class.  Finding a balanced life will pay off in your professional effectiveness and personal fulfillment.  Balance is when you’re doing what you want to be doing, when it needs to be done, finding a balance that makes you and everyone around you happy.

Building Self-Confidence

Webster says that the definition of belief is the ability or habit of placing trust in oneself.  Building belief in yourself can be a very difficult task.  Self-confidence is believing in yourself, that you can do what you have set out to do and can do it well.  When you build self-confidence, you always tell yourself “I can do this just as others have."  Having a positive mindset is of most importance.  If a person thinks negative of themselves, they antagonize the goodness that they offer to others.  In the law of attraction, like attracts like, and positive attracts positive.

Liking yourself is a major step to building self-confidence.  Being confident of yourself teaches responsibility.  However, self-confidence is not to be confused with arrogance.  An arrogant person belittles other people to make themselves feel powerful.  A confident person, on the other hand, sees the good in other people.  They take time to support and encourage others without feeling defensive or jealous.  Having confidence in yourself makes you set realistic goals you can achieve.  Believing in yourself is empowering yourself.  It becomes a self- fulfilling prophecy.  When you believe "you can" you incorporate the power of positivity into your way of life.

Being assertive is another way of building self-confidence.  Assertiveness gives you the courage to stand up for what you believe in.  You will stand behind your decisions and will not be swayed by what other people might say or do.  You believe difficulties are challenges you can overcome and know there is a way out.  You take responsibility and take charge of your thoughts, your actions, and your life.  Self-confidence is the realization that you are a valuable person.  You appreciate your achievements and what you have accomplished.

The good news is that self-confidence really can be learned and built on.  And, whether you’re working on your own self-confidence or building the confidence of people around you, it’s well-worth the effort!