Have you noticed how, when you are engaging with a fresh exciting project, a point of focus that generates zest and passion, often people around you will say, “That’s good, but you’ve got to be Balanced.”
This is the sort of caveat-led advice offered to those who are setting big goals, who are making waves, who look like they might be making things happen, or about to.
“You’ve got to be Balanced” sets off my BS buzzer every time.
You see, what they often mean is “be careful” or “don’t get too far above your station”!
“Balance” results in trying to do too much.
“Balance” is spreading thin.
“Balance” is ‘competence’ across the board.
“Balance” is disproportionate amounts of resources spent on weaknesses.
‘Getting to The Top’ requires focus.
Focus is about choosing… about sacrificing something else.
Focus creates results in key areas … a set of achievements along the way, whatever your ‘Top’ is.
Focus is about playing to strengths.
Focus is about imbalance.
‘Top’ athletes know this.
‘Top’ musicians know this.
‘Top’ business-people know this.
‘Top’ people in all fields of endeavour know this.
You and I know this.
Sure, you want to ensure the most important parts of your life are attended to, and not just your professional achievements.
Sure, you must make time and space, and energy for ‘smelling the roses’.
You know that. I know it.
But that’s not about balance.
That’s about knowing what’s important to you.
Your version of ‘balance’ will be different to everyone else’s, just as your ‘Top’ will be different to everyone else’s (and in my experience the “Top people” don’t settle at the first top… they discover new Tops to reach for, continually).
So, next time someone says you must be more balanced, that’s their value judgement, not yours.
Being focused is about having those foundations in place that allow you to be ‘imbalanced’. Foundations of values, goals, mission, purpose.
These foundations mean that you can be focused and imbalanced, and ‘get to the top’ and even if you do fall, get back up again.
