We live in a scorching, red-hot time where it feels like everyone is perpetually out of balance—from the fiery political rhetoric to the strong opinions on raising families and succeeding in business. Finding balance in these crazy times is one of the biggest challenges I see with those with whom I work.
But here’s the thing: My take on finding balance is dramatically different from most advice out there. I believe in giving yourself permission to live out of balance as long as you make sure you cross that line of balance as frequently as possible. This approach allows you to get a ton done without letting any one aspect of life dominate for too long.
It’s not about walking the perfect line or sticking to a rigid schedule. Forget the idea that balance means clocking in at work at exactly 8 a.m. and leaving at 5 p.m., getting eight hours of sleep every night, and micromanaging every detail of your day. That’s not how I live, and it’s probably not how you would thrive best either.
There are times when I work so hard I feel like I’m going to collapse, and then I’ll cross the line and take a break—maybe even sleeping for eighteen hours. Then, I’ll jump back over that line, dive into some quality family time, or start another business. I might not sleep for weeks, but when I do, it might be while spending a month in the Himalayas with my family.
Balance, to me, isn’t about walking a tightrope. It’s about zigzagging across that line of balance as often as you need to. This is where the magic happens—when we embrace the ebb and flow, and give ourselves the freedom to live out of balance but never stay there too long.
Let’s keep moving forward, together, in a way that’s not about perfection but about progress. Keep zigzagging.
All My Best,
Rich
