When you heard the word “juggler,” what comes to your mind? A magician? A performer? A balancer? Well, there would be a lot of things that you could think of regarding this word. If you’ll ask me, what this word means to me, I only have one answer: This is a hard job. Why do I say so? Because it takes so much practice for you to be able to balance the bottles/balls or whatever you are juggling. It takes so much effort, determination, and hard work to successfully do it.
It’s a hard job
In this life, we are actually jugglers. The balls/bottles represent different areas in our lives such as work, family, relationship, etc. and we try to control those and stay balanced all in our hands. Yes, it’s difficult.
Like what I’ve mentioned in my opening statement, it’s a hard job. However, should we just accept the fact that life is so difficult to handle? That we won’t be able to control the situation and make it favorable for us? From my point of view, this is a matter of choice. The Almighty God has given us all the time, talent and treasure and such decision whether we want a life that is favorable for us or not would depend on our personal decision.
Like you, I’m also a struggling juggler. I failed so many times yet I didn’t stop when my balls/ bottles fell on the ground. I needed to rise and do it again until I will be able to reach the goal that I’ve been looking forward to—be able to turn around all the balls/bottles (representing my work, family, relationship etc.) without dropping any on the ground and be able to enjoy life. Let me share with you my L.I.F.E. personal tips to be able to reach this. Here they are:
L-ist down all your tasks/activities for the day
We only have 24 hours a day and most of the time our work eats up so much of our day. A lot of reports to work on, daily emails that you needed to respond, people that go to you and ask something even without sense. Sounds familiar? Yes, we are in the same boat.
Given all of these, it’s pretty obvious that you are only focusing on one aspect of your life which is your work. Is it enough? Of course not, thus, apart from listing down your to do list at work, list down your activities for the day. Step back and think what you are supposed to accomplish in your life for the day. You needed to ensure that at the end of it all, things that you have jotted down will transpire and it would give you a sense of accomplishment and would lead to your goals and objectives in the future.
I-nvest your time with those who will make you happy
Would it be your family, your dreams, your significant other? No matter what it is, most importantly, it will bring you true satisfaction and happiness in life. Try to reflect and deeply think on the years that had passed and ask this question, “Where did I spend my time?”
Your answer maybe one of those that I have mentioned above, now try to ask this short yet tough question, Am I happy with it? Your answer maybe a yes, no or maybe. This is now deeply knowing your big why in life. If you are spending your time with those that make you truly unhappy, this is already the sign that you have to pause for a moment, think and make a decision to change. Life is a learning process and it’s not too late to redo.
F-ine tune your mindset
You are what you think, don’t you agree? In ensuring work-life harmony, it would always start with what’s in your mind. In this complicated life, how we perceive things that are happening in our lives depend on how we personally view them.
If you are a nega-type of individual, use this tip as your daily mantra. Things would definitely change and this will work to your advantage. Should you want to strike a better work-life balance or be an effective juggler, make it a habit to think positively and act conscientiously.
E-liminate the unnecessary (drama, stress, negativities) in your life
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” Who are you here? A person with great mind? Average Mind? or Small mind? You can only be the one who could truly answer this as you are in charge of your own life, your own ideas and feelings.
Eliminate those that you think would hinder your progress. Time spent in gossiping, taking things personally, trying to control the uncontrollable, stop them all. These are all monsters in your life and they’re all pulling you down. Cut the rope of gossips, highly sensitive and being controlling and begin to have a string of being grateful, simplifying life, and amplifying God’s love.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal she keeps in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics. Visit her blog at http://dlsu-mba-chu.simplesite.com/435122566.
The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.