Juggling

What? You don't think you know how to do this? If you own or run a business or you're working two jobs if you have children or are expecting if you deal with any abuse or are stuck in a bad relationship - you have learned to do this. You learn to do it to survive.

Years ago, I was going to listen to a speech at a function held by the Small Business Council group with the United States Chamber of Commerce. I sat on both boards. Here I sat stunned to listen to this engaging and energetic woman who had several children and significant career with the government. She was here to provide insight into how to keep up with it all. She was witty and laid out the crazy churn of a mother, wife, and traveling business person.

When she shared her story of stepping out of the shower each morning, I sat stunned. She said she would throw these imaginary balls into their air, close her eyes, reach out, and see which of these she caught. The rest fell to the floor. All of these balls represent the variety of tasks, responsibilities, and roles she completes routinely. It's automatic, done without thought as to why or how.

The magic was to learn how to hone- in on a few critical issues. Each issue or task represents each ball. First, I realized she got a do-over every day to take every part of her life and start fresh. Nothing would wait for more than a day at a time. If she got parenting (for a school event), executive (for the presentation that she had to give later that morning) and mediator (for the two people at the office who were not getting along and it was distracting everyone on her team), then all else would wait. What is happening here? This trick was someone taking responsibility for all of her tasks while realizing there is only one of her. It's impossible to be all things to all people on demand.

This woman realized she had a choice. She could manage her responsibilities by determining each day what was realistic. She permitted herself to be in charge of her life. Aren't we all? What a crazy concept. To remind ourselves that we have a fresh start each day to share our value and worth in the number of areas that need something from us. More than that, to permit us to realize that we control "the how and when" things get done.

Removing the chasing guilt or fear of failure we all put on ourselves daily was how she could start each day fresh. She gave each day all that she could. She realized every new day provided new opportunities to grow and manage life.

I cannot tell you how many times I have used this trick. I should do a needlepoint for outside the shower of a juggler to remind me more often. Everything can't occur at the same time. No one can do it. She just figured out a way to manage expectations (more with her mindset than anything else). I hope you try this and see how well this works. Sleep better tonight, knowing tomorrow is another day. I bet you didn't know how well you enjoyed juggling. Let's keep those opportunities moving.