Gunjan Doshi

I read this excellent article on Fast Company.

From the article: “There’s a better way to think about all this, one that requires us to embrace imbalance. Instead of trying to balance all of our commitments and passions at any one time, let’s acknowledge that anything important, and anything done well, demands our full investment. At some times, it may be a demanding child or an unhappy spouse, and the office will suffer. At others, it may be winning the McWhorter account, and child and spouse will have to fend for themselves. Only over time can we really balance a portfolio of diverse experiences.”

More from the article:

Successful professionals who were also happy had found ways to “switch and link” — to switch the focus of their full attention with lightning speed among activities and people in different realms. Can you give someone outside the office the same attention you gave your CEO? If you can give your children or your spouse 100% of your attention, even for a brief period, it goes way longer than compromising and giving them some time because you think you should.”

The decision to reject the mirage of balance requires the discipline to continually prioritize and compromise. Balance per se isn’t a goal. “It’s an afterthought, a way of describing the outcome,” says executive coach David Zelman. Seeking balance is futile because it’s an intangible and, so, impossible to measure. Better to set concrete objectives in areas important to you and plan concrete paths to each goal, Zelman advises.

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