The Final Challenge

"We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves." ~Galileo

"Looking and Lingering", "Just Doing It", "Saying No", indulging in a "Cocktail Conspiracy", is a choice. The Balance Challenge was never about teaching anything. The ideas have been simple and the concepts rudimentary. The goal has always been to simply remind you that it is okay to put yourself first and hopefully provide ya with a little inspiration along the way.

It's been a ton of fun and I thank you for indulging me.  When I set out on this little blog writing exercise, I really didn't know what I was getting myself into.  It's been quite a ride.  Looking back over the posts, I realize balance is a pretty quirky thing.  Depending on the day, the mood, the schedule, it can manifest itself  into millions of different experiences and opportunities.  What feels like balance one day can feel like total chaos the next.  I guess that's what keeps it fun.

As the official Balance Challenge comes to a conclusion, I leave you with one final challenge. Know and remember that you don't need a daily email or a blog to remind you life is short and you should enjoy each and every moment of it.

Thanks for taking the challenge and keeping balancing fun.
All the best to you and yours this holiday season.
Tb

Day 46: Recognizing Greatness

In the the hussle and bussle of the fourth quarter AND the holiday season, we tend to witness some pretty remarkable stuff. 
People going the distance to get the job done.
Remarkable acts of kindness.
Creativity and innovation.

The question is, how often do we take the time to remark on it?  We have a tendency to be the loudest and the most vocal when we see something go wrong and we often forget to acknowledge all of the cool stuff that goes right.  When we do take the time to remark, we tend to do it to others rather then to the person who has totally impressed us.  Whether it is your direct report or  CEO, your child or a complete strange, everyone appreciates recognition and feedback.

Today, if you see greatness, acknowledge it.   :)

Day 45: Traditions

homemade eggnog
stringing popcorn and cranberries
baking favorite holiday treats

Traditions are a wonderful thing, especially this time of year.  With only 10 sleeps left before the big day, take a few moments today to take stock.  Have you made the time to participate in your favorite holiday traditions this year?  When life is busy, it is easy to let time pass us buy and traditions fall victim.  Please remember, enjoying traditions isn't just about personal enjoyment, it is also about establishing and reinforcing them with the younger folks in your circle.  Keep your favorite holiday traditions alive so that they may continue to be traditions in the years to come.
Tb

Day 44: Be Calm, Carry On

BE CALM, CARRY ON....
Sometimes that, in itself, is a monumental accomplishment.  There are those days when balance is the furthest thing from your mind.  In fact, god help the person that smiles and suggests such a crazy thing.  You know those days. We all have them.  The sky truly feels like it is falling and the only thing you can do is run for cover.  On these occasions finding shelter is a glorious victory.  Most often, we just get clunked on the head and spend the rest of the day feeling kinda woozy.  I've been there.  Trust me.  I have those days where I just know the next straw could be the one that sends me screaming from the building.  You know it is a rough one when you start thinking....maybe...just maybe...a nice room at the Royal Ottawa wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Luckily, these days do pass. 

For all those who are in the thick of it right now, the challenge is about surviving.  Don't run screaming from the building.  Don't get yourself fitted for a custom straight jacket.  Pause.  Take a deep breath.
STAY CALM, CARRY ON.

You can make it.

Tb

Day 43: The Gift of Giving

It doesn't have to be big.  It doesn't have to be expensive. It just has to be thoughtful.
Another consequence of our crazy busy world is a tendency to forget or disregard the true pleasure of giving.
It is not about how much you spend.  It is about the thought, the feeling, the intention. 

Some of my most favorite gifts, over the years, have been ones which I know were given with thoughtfulness, kindness and love.  Some years ago now, I met a friend for a holiday coffee.  A gift exchange was not part of the bargain.  We were just excited to spend a bit of time catching up over gingerbread lattes.  As we wished each other happy holiday and prepared to part ways, she presented me with a package.  It contained the most beautiful, unique scarf I had ever seen.  It was the perfect colours, length and weight.  I loved it.  My admiration for the scarf and my friend was that much more when I discovered she had made it for me.  To this day, when I put that scarf on, I am filled with warmth, gratefulness and fond memories of a kindred friendship.

Today, allow yourself to enjoy the gift of giving.  Buy a coffee for the person in the car behind you at the drive thru.  Take the time to find the perfect gift for someone special.  Help someone else find the perfect gift.  Allow yourself to enjoy the priceless feeling of knowing you have made someones day.

Tb

Staying in Touch

One of the unfortunate consequences of a super busy life is our circle of consistent connections gets smaller.  There just never seems to be enough time to connect with those beyond your immediate family and closest friends.  You definitely think about your old college roommate or high school buddy from time to time.  You just never seem to fit a phone call into the days complex equation.   Eventually,  the thought of a reaching out after soo many months of silence feels awkward and undoable.  The call goes unmade and you are forced to accept your circle getting just a little smaller, bit by bit.  Today's challenge is about not letting it get to that.

Today, make the time to call a friend/family member you haven't had a chance to connect with in the last couple of weeks. Everyone has at least one person  they have been meaning to call or worse, call back.  Today's the day.  Make the phone call, reconnect and enjoy a little catching up.  Don't allow a cherished connection to be the next victim of your crazy life.

Tb

Day 39: 16 more sleeps

16 more sleeps until the big day!!
It would be a real shame if the holiday just snuck up on ya. Let's face it, the true joy of the season is the anticipation of December 25th and all the fun to be had leading up to the big day. To really enjoy the spirit of the season, we need to allow ourselves the time to do so.

It's kinda like anything, really.  It kinda like the balance challenge.  It's all about allowing yourself the time for the important stuff and really enjoying it. Putting things off until we have time often results in the good stuff just never happening.  Now that's a real shame.

 While there are only 16 more sleeps til the big day, there are only 11 more sleeps until the Official Balance Challenge concludes.  Day 50, December 20th, marks the end of our formal challenge.  It's been a ton of fun and I have really enjoyed all of the notes, conversation and the sharing of balancing act successes.  Thank you.    While today's official challenge is about allowing yourself the time to do something festive, the ultimate challenge is ensuring you have created your own balance maintenance plan by the 20th.  You're on the right track.  Now, you just have to make keeping yourself there a priority.

You can do it. :)

Day 38: In the Moment

If we get our 8 hours of sleep each night, we have approximate 960 waking moments in which we can be present.  Sounds like allot.  I guess it is.  The challenge is looking back over the last day and asking yourself if you have been truly present in each of those moments.  Come on.  You need to be honest with yourself.  Is it possible you had a meal you didn't really take the time to enjoy?  Is it probable you paid north of five bucks for a latte and didn't really taste it?  What about a conversation you had with one person while thinking about the next task on your  "to do" list?  While we would all like to think being present in each moment is natural and easy, these days savouring moments really does take some deliberate effort.

Today's challenge...

Truly be in the moment. Any moment will do. Just be there. Be delilberate and allow yourself a little savour.

Tb :)

TIME OUT!!!!

　
Who says "time outs" are only for terrible two toddlers?!? We all remember getting banished to the corner or sent to our room on some occasion. Who knew what was once an effective punishment, would someday be a sought after reprieve? The unfortunate circumstance is we most likely need a "time out" when we are least likely to allow ourselves to have one.

How do I know such things?  Personal stubbornness and a little stupidity. It is very true what they say.  Giving advice is allot easier then taking it.  This weekend I was forced to take a little of my own medicine and a rather extended timeout.  No matter how much we love our jobs and enjoy what we do, there is a limit and if you don't respect it, there are repercussions.  Thankfully, I am surrounded by people far smarter then I, who can force me into a time out, even when I don't want one.   The funny part is, once I give in, I am always the better for it.

So...this is your daily challenge...
No matter how crazy busy your day is today, I want you to take a time out.  Yes, I am demanding you do so!!!  Slip away for 15 minutes.  Think about what you have done or are about to do.  Breathe.  Reflect.  And then continue about your day.

Tb

Day 36: Checking the List

Happy Monday Morning!!

There are 26 days left in 2010.  Have you done all the things you wanted to do this year?  Think back 12 months.  What were those key items you were anxious and excited to accomplish?  Check the list.  How many can you scratch off?  Now, this isn't about starting a new week on a sour note.  Just the opposite, in fact.  This is about ensuring you make the absolute most of the last 26 days of the year.

Recently, I was keenly reminded of something we all know.  One third of our life is spent sleeping.  One third of our life is spent working.   And the other third is spent at our discretion.  Now, I am pretty sure we all enjoy sleeping.  The goal is to ensure you are enjoying the other two thirds of your life, as well.  It's amazing how quickly it can all be eaten up by errands, tasks and what feel like "must dos".  We have to stay on top of it, if we really want to enjoy it.

And that brings us to today's challenge....

Make a list of 3 enjoyable/important things you want to do between now and January 1st.  With one third of the remaining 26 days of the year dedicated to your 8 hours of zzzzz's, you have approximately 17 days or 408 hours in which to accomplish your items.  I have included both work and leisure hours in the calculation of 408 because there is nothing that says one of your items cannot be work related.  We gotta hope you are doing some enjoyable/important stuff on the job. ;)  Warning...these 26 days are going to go super fast.  Making sure you make your list and check it twice is entirely up to you.

Good Luck.

Tb 
 I think we all do to some degree.  We may not write it down, but I think it is a natural instinct to approach a new year with zest, anticipation and a commitment to the important stuff.

Life is Funny...LOL!

Come on.  You know you want to.  Just a little giggle?? A hee, hee?  A ha, ha?
There is nothing better than that contagious build of a giggle to a full body shutter.  You know, the kinda laughter that makes your eyes water, sides ache and cheeks sore?  Love it.  What a marvelous feeling!

One of the unfortunate side effects of our world being increasingly busy is there is a tendency to get way too serious.  I am not saying strategy and tactics and plans to drive revenue aren't incredibly important.   I am wondering when we decided humour and laughter couldn't be part of the equation? 

Laughter relaxes the whole body.
Laughter boosts the immune system.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins.
Laughter protects the heart.
Laughter sometimes makes you shoot milk out your nose.
What's not to love?  Seriously?
I mean, aside from maybe the last one, all of the above sounds pretty good for business.  In my opinion, investing a little effort into making people laugh could be a darn good tactic in a robust 2011 Business Plan.

Everyone deserves and, it could be argued, "needs" a daily belly laugh.  Sooooo....let's go for it.

Today's Challenge:  Lol. Lmao.  Rotfl. LAUGH. Make someone else laugh.  Let your guard down and your spirits soar. Loosen your tie a little and forgot about laugh lines.  They are beautiful and well worth it.  :)

Have a fantastic weekend.

Tb

Random Acts of Kindness

We hussle, we bussle…
We rush from point A to point B.
Meetings are scheduled too closely together.
We drive faster then we should.
We agree to be on too many conference calls and then act like we had no choice.
We walk with our heads buried in our BBs or distracted by the call in our ear.
During a season when we should be committed to selfless kindness, we act selfishly. We don't hold the elevator. We don't let the car into our lane. We ask how someone is and don't listen for the answer. We fixate on making the sale and use "driving results" as our excuse for being distracted, late, rude.   It's not okay.

Today's challenge is about putting people first. Your goal is a random act of kindness. It can be as simple as holding a door open or sharing a smile with a stranger. It takes only a moment to make a positive impact.  Today's your day to make someone else's.

Tb

Cocktail Conspiracy

"Later on, we'll conspire,
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
The plans that we've made,
Walking in a winter wonderland."

~Winter Wonderland, 1934

In honour of December 1st, I thought we could draw some inspiration from these famous holiday lyrics.  Perhaps it was easier to slow down and enjoy the magic of a snowy day in 1934?  Perhaps finding the time to "dream by the fire" wasn't such a daunting task?  Maybe it was easier, maybe it wasn't.  I think we need to believe it was so we don't feel so guilty about not making the time.  We like to use the "too busy" excuse.  We've gotten so good at it, our friends and family expect it and/or don't even ask the question requiring such a reply because they are "too busy" too.  When we do get together, our conversation inevitably focuses on our latest work project or struggle.  An interaction intended to be a friendly chat resembles far to closely another "meeting".  When is the last time you sat down for coffee or cocktails with a friend and work didn't dominant the conversation?  We spend over a 1/3 of our lives working, you would think we could enjoy a little conversation about something different.

Let's try....

Today, invite a friend for a coffee or a cocktail and conspire about something fun.  No shop talk allowed!  When you make the invitation, make sure your guest is aware of your good intentions.  While they may think it a bit odd at first, I am confident you will both enjoy a little work-free chat.  Heck, you may be surprised at how enjoyable a cocktail conspiracy can be. 

Have fun.