Founder Story: Balance

Here’s a simple example of where focusing on Balance had a real impact in my life.

I’ve always enjoyed the solitude of being out in nature alone. But between career, family and the day-to-day business of life, I rarely actually found myself acting on that desire. On average I’d guess I was getting out into nature about once a year.

When I did my Balance exercises, though, I realized I had been lying to myself for years to justify this gap between desire and reality. I’d tell myself, “This is only temporary. This is going to change when I get my next promotion. This is going to change when I move to this new company. This is going to change when my kids get a little older.”

Of course it never changed because life doesn’t work that way. You don’t suddenly find yourself with free time to do the things you want. Rather, busy-work tends to fill in any gaps in your schedule unless you deliberately block time and protect it. 

So I decided to make a change. I blocked off 6am to 10am for a solo hike every Friday morning. I talked to my wife and got her support on this. I talked to my boss and cleared it. Then I committed to myself to be firm on the schedule. And I’m thrilled to say that I haven’t missed a single week’s hike in well over a year now. 

I cherish that time every week and I have gotten immense satisfaction out of it. And I find that I’m less resentful of other demands on my time because I know I have this weekly refuge that’s just for me.