Balancing Act

As a business owner, there seems to always be a number of things on my mind. All the usual suspects are there taking up precious space in my head. In no particular order, there is of course clients, money, technology, friends, family and countless others.

What I have noticed over the years is that if I get wrapped up in a project or if I am faced with an intense challenge, it can have a profound impact on my core being. This isn’t limited to negative things either. I can become so excited and focused about a new project idea that I can become temporarily consumed with …too much of a good thing.

So I was giving some thought to this phenomenon and stumbled onto an idea that you might find helpful.

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Before I get to the solution, I want you to do something. I want you to pick up a pencil. Now, with your pencil in your hand, hold your hand out in front of you. Obviously the pencil is light and requires little effort to lift the pencil and hold the pencil for a short while.

Keep holding the pencil as described above (you are still holding the pencil, right?) and you will begin to notice that your arm is starting to tire. If you hold the light pencil out long enough your arm will begin to ache.

Okay…you can put your pencil down. I certainly don’t want to cause you any pain.

The pencil represents the object or thing we are focused on. This could be a problem, a new job, a relationship or darn near any other thing we might be consumed with.

Our arm represents our brain. We can actually focus on something to the point of exhaustion; to the point of pain.

With the pencil, we eventually put the pencil down in an attempt to relieve our arm. It is the same solution with our problems.

Sometimes we just have to put it aside.

So the next time you find yourself frustrated, upset or otherwise consumed with something in a non-productive manner, you need only to simply set the matter aside even if it is for a short period of time.

To be certain, some solutions do require focus. Even intense focus at times. I am not suggesting that we ignore real problems that need our attention. I am just suggesting that we take a moment to realize when we are being productive and those times when we just need to table the subject for a while.

I’d be interested to hear any methods you use to help you manage when the issues in your work and life become all-consuming; and as always, be well.

-Jason