For several years, I served in an organization that was incredibly balanced in their approach to life, work, style, ministry – you name it. You’ve heard of core values – I think this organization had one core value – balance. Life was good – most people were happy.
After some time, I began to realize that this emphasis on holistic balance was actually stunting the personal growth of the individuals within the organization (and ultimately the growth of the organization).
Consider the enormous potential of your life and the collective potential of those with whom you serve. When you consider this potential, balance is a huge mistake.
Mediocrity
Those who seek to maintain balance will achieve mediocre results. And your life is much too important for that. I want to do things that can’t be explained apart from God. I get bored talking about what could be. Because I live very intentionally expecting exponential growth in my life and work – and work hard with my team to get it. So, leave balance and status quo to those who like comfort – you were made for something bigger! It’s time to grow on purpose!
OK, let me have it – let me know if you disagree…
On the one hand, I agree. But my pschye screams that it is wrong. I have no balance in my life and I know that my mind and my heart desperately seek balance. I think it depends on how you define BALANCE. If balance means everything has the same priority, same level of input, same importance – then NO, that is never fully possible, nor desirable.
Thanks Robin. I think we all feel the way you do at some point. But the truth is, those who seek to maintain balance will always achieve mediocre results.
Totally agree as it pertains to our work and goals. Balance can mean not being passionate or even honest. (I do believe however that our theology needs balance. Hard to maintain.) Enjoy your articles.
Thanks man – I appreciate that. And I agree.
Like your comment to Summit, “If you’re involved in helping others in need, your life is most likely far from balance – but very fulfilled.” In my life I’m involved in helping those who leave the Amish life and are struggling to adjust to an “outside” culture. My life and home is far from balance – or routine – especially when a new “English” needs basics like birth certificate, S.S. #, clothing, etc., but as you said it’s fulfilled. It’s also exciting, memorable, and unique. I feel I’m answering God’s call by opening my heart and sometimes my home.
Balance is comfortable but not adventuresome nor memorable.
That’s great Brenda! Thanks for sharing your story and experience. I agree with you.
I don’t disagree. But I do believe there is a place for balance. The confusion may be that word “balance” also means “equal”. For example, if you do not “balance” work and rest you will eventually burn out. This does not mean you rest half the time, it means you know how to nurture your body to achieve maximum performance in whatever measure that takes for you. This in essence is balance even though you may only require 30% of your time for exercise, proper sleep and meditaion. In organizations if some effort isn’t given to the balance between planning and execution the outcome will likely be less than desired. You could choose 20% planning and 80% execution but that is still a balance. Rather than balance I like to think of this as tension. Optimizing the tension between positives. Both / And.
Thanks for the thoughtful response, Scott. I understand your point – yet even as I read your explanation, I cringe at the word balance. I don’t seek balance between rest and work – I work purposefully and rest purposefully. I define specific disciplines for maintaining health in both areas. Maybe I’m dealing with semantics here.
I like the optimizing tension perspective also. Thank you again for engaging here.
Amen.
Thank Steve.
Yes. Serving others can be very uncomfortable. If you’re involved in helping others in need, your life is most likely far from balance – but very fulfilled. Thanks for sharing!
I think people confuse boundaries and balance. Balance to me is a mistake because you waste a lot of time trying to bring your 3’s and 4’s up to 4’s and 5’s instead of bringing your 8’s and 9’s up to 9’s and 10’s. Organizations that let people play to their strengths build great teams and consensus. People who focus on fine tuning their strengths and managing around their weaknesses are better leaders. So to me it’s about boundaries, knowing when to say no or yes as an individual and then taking calculated risks based on what I value and what God is calling me to do. 100% agree that only doing what you know will succeed is weak sauce also!
So true. Developing your strengths will lead to greater influence and leadership opportunities. Thanks!
If you have a life you will have to except the restrictions that come along the way. Disability, finacial hardship,illness,assiting family members, it’s not about those who like comfort but have a true understanding of servatude.
I Like your writing style..
Nice to have you join me.
Can you provide a detailed example? TY, enjoy your blog!
This is good food for thought – I read this post several times. Thank you. Sharon
That’s great, Sharon. Thank you for sharing!
Do you think it is possible to expect God sized results, with no human explanation, in a well balanced environment? Can you still achieve growth and incredible movement and maintain good balance?
Great questions. I’ve noticed that many organizations focus on stylistic and relational balance. As a result, creativity and passion suffer. Have you observed exponential growth within an intentionally balanced organization?
Yes the company is Blue Beacon International- they play by Dave Ramsey rules and say and show doing the right thing (balanced aproach) is easiar than taking risk that would expect gods intervention to work. Your theory scares me I see lay offs, down sizeing, and bankruptsy- is this the best way to learn and grow ? What expierince with failure have you had that you can look back at and say ” hey that was worth it I would go down that road again”.
Great thought! I always appreciate your perspective. I have thought some of these same things myself through the years… but on the other hand, an eccentric is often too out-of-balance to be effective. As a leader, it’s almost as if it takes a balance of imbalance to not only grow, but also to lead. It is certainly true of pastoring – one will definitely be gifted in an area or two and, even while desiring to be more well-rounded, should use those gifts for the greatest impact. Yet if those are the only things he develops, he becomes single-faceted and, in many cases, irrelevant or nominalized. As for me, I’d like to be eccentric enough to have a specialty, but not too much so that I am discounted or passed over.
I heard a man say once that there’s really no such thing as Balance … it’s just a constant state of correcting minor imbalances. In that case, I would agree that we each need to strive for ‘balance’ – like a pilot flying toward the horizon.
So true, Patrick. Good thoughts! Trust you and your family are doing well.