Balance (noun) 1. An even distribution of weight enables someone or something to remain upright and steady. 2. A condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. (verb) Keep or put something in a steady position so that it does not fall.
An Honest Look at Defining Balance
The word “balance” can be defined as a noun or verb, but honestly, it is an idea that sometimes seems unachievable in this thing called life. We all strive daily (sometimes hourly) to achieve balance at home, in our jobs, in the projects we create, in our relationships… the list goes on and on. How do we attain this ultimate goal? It is my hope that, by sharing my personal story as a mom and competitive shooter, you can adapt what you read to your own life and quickly begin to see the fruits of your labor, both on the range as the buzzer sounds and at home.
Behind the Scenes: A Family Trying to Do it All
To give some background, I personally have been a competitive archer for over 10 years, and my husband has been a professional archer for over 20. We have truly lived this struggle for balance, as you can imagine! Our family is a blended one. I have a son, he has two daughters….. All participated in school activities, attended different schools, and also competed in archery. Trust me, you haven’t lived life to its fullest until you are training for an event yourself, yet trying to make sure your children are prepared to compete, have all their gear packed, and somehow get them to their assigned spot to actually shoot their bow. (Just typing that sentence made me tired!)
Priorities First: The Daily Rhythm That Helped Us Thrive
Over the many years of training and competing, one thing was always at the forefront of our lives—keeping priorities straight. For example, we have been fortunate enough to have an indoor shooting range at our house. When the kids were growing up, they had a bedtime around 9-9:30 pm on school nights. We made it our priority to have dinner together every night, to make sure homework was completed, and clothes were ready for the next day, and once everything was done for our family, we had practice time. Yes, it was late, but that’s how we balanced things. Was it right for everyone? No. Was it right for us? Yes.
Finding Your Own Version of Balance
The definition of the word “balance” can be applied to anyone’s life. It is always going to be different; it is not a cookie-cutter plan. That is very important to remember because striving for balance is the ultimate goal. A few suggestions are listed below; from my experience, these simple things helped my household.
Schedule specific times to practice and stick to that schedule. Whether it’s mornings, midday, or evenings, pick a time that consistently works for you.
Set goals for yourself based on priorities. The first rule of thumb is to prioritize things according to importance. Organize a calendar or checklist of tasks to complete, and evaluate them regularly, as this is imperative for success. If things aren’t working and goals aren’t being met, simply adjust. Sitting down to write out a list of daily, monthly, and yearly goals can be very helpful in keeping you on track.
Give yourself grace. Accept the fact that life is ever-changing, and we must adapt. I am a true believer that if you take care of priorities first, everything else falls into place.
