Juggling Through Life

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JugglingDo you ever feel like you go through life juggling so many different things that it’s just a matter of time before you drop something; or in some case everything? We live in a world today where our schedules are so full of activities and obligations that sometimes we don’t know if we are coming or going. We feel that in order to live and be noticed and accepted, we have to be doing so many things that balance is difficult to fathom let alone achieve. Then soon to follow is the stress that comes from not having balance and the fear of failing one or more of the things in life you have engaged in. For starters, my hats off to those who want to be involved in life and want to make an impact in their own families and in the world. It’s folks like you that make the world go around! But I have a suggestion I would like for you to think about that might lessen the number of balls you are juggling; without giving anything up and achieving balance.

I visited with a good friend of mine; counselor, personal coach and founder of www.GetReadyCoaching.com, Donovan Dryer and through his personal sharing caused a light bulb to go off in my mind. It’s how we can adjust the means in which we are juggling to be more effective and efficient in the handling of the “Colored Balls” we are tossing up in our lives.

Let’s say that the red ball represents your job; the yellow ball represents your marriage; the blue ball represents the relationship with your kids; the green ball represents your spiritual life; the white ball represents a personal calling or passion in your life. You see where I am going with this. For each of us there will be a different number of colored balls of which each of them has their own place of importance in our lives. In attempt to have balance and to give each their required time and focus, many of us have a tendency to compartmentalize. We realize to be effective and focus we cannot try to juggle them all at the same time; we may drop one or all and we don’t want that to happen. So we compartmentalize and pick up one ball at a time, blocking out all others and focusing for a specific time on tossing up that one ball. But sometimes we have so many of them that by the time we squeeze the individual juggling into our days, we weren’t able to spend the adequate time truly need to be effective and impactful in any of the areas.

I know for me, I jump into things with two feet and go crazy sometimes. When I feel moved and drawn to something in which I am passionate about, I can allow it to consume my time to the point of being destructive and harmful to all the other areas of my life; in other words I begin dropping some of the things (balls) in my life that I can’t really afford to let hit the ground. So here is the idea and lesson I learned.

Multi color juggle ballsInstead of compartmentalizing and juggling so many single colored balls, begin to identify and come up with ways of combining those areas and begin juggling fewer multi-colored balls. What do I mean? Donovan had shared with me that his 7-year-old daughter was interested in writing and sharing “her” blog; and she was very passionate about it; so a very fitting compromise occurred; she wrote his blog and he posted it on his site! Some very neat things happened. For one it was some great quality time with his child; secondly he got his blog work done and quite frankly had some great feed back. It wasn’t about the content of the blog but the role the blog played in his life that day! Super time with his child, and work accomplished! Basically he combined 2 of his juggling balls into one! What a great accomplishment!

If we can begin to figure out how to merge the various single color areas of our lives into fewer multi-colored ones, we can begin improving the quality and time we spend with each; having better and more meaningful results, while reducing the stress of having to many balls to juggle! Remember when we try to do too much in our lives, the chances are we won’t be as effective unless we figure out a way to be more attentive to the people and things we choose to commit to. Colossians 3: 23-24 tells us “ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” We must make sure our efforts are pure and from our heart and that we do not position ourselves to be unable to give 100% of ourselves to the things we commit to! Let’s make an impact while reducing the juggling! Here’s to the multi-colored balls!

 

14 Responses to “Juggling Through Life”

  1. Donna Moritz (@SociallySorted)

    Great post – I have actually started to think in terms of multi-coloured balls without realising it too – just in terms of exercising with my kids instead of separate to them at the beach is quality time for them instead of us going off to exercise. I am always looking at ways to better balance work, home, family, personal time – this is a great reminder (and I can actually juggle those balls so it appeals to this amateur juggler ha ha). Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • divineimpacts

      Donna, thanks so much for the kind words. Awesome to hear that you see what I see; affirms my beliefs and the importance of seeking that balance! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  2. Audrey Knight (@waakn)

    Some great tips in your post…I know I try to juggle to much. Will look to see how can make multi colored balls :)Thanks

    Reply
    • divineimpacts

      Audrey, thanks for the comment. No doubt if you list our everything you are juggling, you will figure out ways of combing and balancing some! Good luck with it and let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  3. Donovan

    Awesome Jeff! I didn’t know where the fun blog session would lead, but I just knew it was important to play. Initially I thought I would have to write a blog after we finishing goofing around. You nailed the message that I looked to communicate by posting the “experience” blog. The impact of the blog wasn’t focused on actual content. We can find ways to juggle more when we get creative. I love your visual on this one! The multi-colored balls really drive home the point! You have a real knack for finding images that work with your posts!

    Reply
    • divineimpacts

      Thanks Donovan. I am a visual person so its important for me to have something to look at to stimulate my mind and the heart follows! Thanks always for your encouragement, inspiration and perspective outside of myself! You are a true friend and brother! :0

      Reply
  4. Arwen

    I have really enjoyed Donovan’s blog so it was nice to see you posting about him. And the multi-colored balls? Brilliant. Thanks

    Reply
    • divineimpacts

      Arwen, thanks for sharing! You are right in Donovan is a an awesome guy who has toms to give to others. I am
      sure he appreciates you following him and his work. We collaborate quite a bit with our thoughts. Appreciate your comments!

      Reply
  5. kac527

    Jeff, the thought that came to mind after reading your post was: Work smarter and not harder… a bit trite I admit, but spot on. Thank you for your wisdom!!

    Reply
    • divineimpacts

      Thanks so much for the comment; and you are absolutely right! Being more efficient with our work without a doubt will help to do away with some juggling! Thanks for the thought!

      Reply
  6. Charlotte Henley Babb

    Marketers call this leverage. Maybe I can get some leverage by calling housework exercise? This is good food for thought, unlike the Netflix I watched this weekend instead of doing housework. Thanks.

    Reply
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    • Jeff

      Thanks so much for the affirmation and good luck with you project. If you get a site up let me know about it. Always looking to work together with others to get the common message out there. Anything I can do to help please let me know.
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