This week, I was at an American Red Cross event and had a very interesting conversation with an attendee. He told me he recently switched careers because he wanted to have a more balanced life.
If we look at the literal definition of balance, it states, "a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions."
He realized balance requires something to be traded for something else.
What I believe he was really seeking was flexibility. Flexibility would enable him to have both time with family and a career he wanted. So he jumped in with both feet and hasn't looked back.
He can volunteer, coach, and have a career that provides flexibility while also supporting his long-term financial goals. At times he may actually give more to family and at other times to his career, but he now has the flexibility to make those adjustments as needed, without trying to keep both equally balanced at all times.
I left there thinking about the power of the word flexible.
The definition of flexible as it relates to a person is to be ready and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances.
As I thought about change and read the above definition I had an entirely new perspective on why I had experienced success in my life. I had been flexible with life as a whole. Open to shifts when I needed to alter my course and was able to learn what I needed to change to be successful.
Upon reflection, I have also experienced moments when my inability to be flexible impacted my personal success.
However, being flexible has not kept me from being true-to-my-core values. Instead it has enabled me to grow, learn and be open to other peoples' perspectives.
Today's question:
Am I flexible to change to move beyond where I am today?
Consider how your lack of flexibility may be holding you back. In my next blog, I will share how my moments of being stuck were so connected to my inability to be flexible.