Leaders who are driven to create extraordinary outcomes are a different breed. We are told that those who strive for and achieve any semblance of greatness pay a significant price. Indeed, the sacrifices for success often produce all kinds of instability. Emotional, social, and financial. Read the biographies or interviews of many well-known leaders and entrepreneurs and a common pattern emerges.
I think the key is to try to live in the present moment as much as you can. When I read this post, 'Making Fast Transitions" comes to mind. No matter what you just did or where you are going next, be in that moment, orthogonally. I think getting really good a making fast transitions will help you honor all your commitments. Regarding happiness, I personally think 'happy' is overrated. Instead, I fall closer inline with Adam Smith's, “People actually desire, not only to be loved, but to be lovely."
I wouldn't try to replace work-life balance with another metaphor. I think we should rely on using metaphors less often. They don't get at the root cause of the issue we are trying to explain. They are band aids or duct tape at best. Regarding work-life balance - it signifies that we must provide equal weight on both sides of the scale to even things out otherwise it will tip/fall too far into one direction. It's a losing battle and I feel it makes us feel guilty. It is a lose-lose strategy. Instead, let's look for win-win strategies. I think one strategy is to provide our complete and undivided attention to the task at hand or the people we are with engaging with in the present moment. That is why I like Admired Leadership's behavior, "Make Fast Transactions" so much. It gets to the heart of 'live in the moment'.
I think the key is to try to live in the present moment as much as you can. When I read this post, 'Making Fast Transitions" comes to mind. No matter what you just did or where you are going next, be in that moment, orthogonally. I think getting really good a making fast transitions will help you honor all your commitments. Regarding happiness, I personally think 'happy' is overrated. Instead, I fall closer inline with Adam Smith's, “People actually desire, not only to be loved, but to be lovely."
So if "work - life balance" is a faulty metaphor, what is more appropriate?
I wouldn't try to replace work-life balance with another metaphor. I think we should rely on using metaphors less often. They don't get at the root cause of the issue we are trying to explain. They are band aids or duct tape at best. Regarding work-life balance - it signifies that we must provide equal weight on both sides of the scale to even things out otherwise it will tip/fall too far into one direction. It's a losing battle and I feel it makes us feel guilty. It is a lose-lose strategy. Instead, let's look for win-win strategies. I think one strategy is to provide our complete and undivided attention to the task at hand or the people we are with engaging with in the present moment. That is why I like Admired Leadership's behavior, "Make Fast Transactions" so much. It gets to the heart of 'live in the moment'.