7 Tips to Restore Balance in Life

by Liz Jansen

Last week I posted 10 More Reasons Motorcycle Tips Over. It seemed appropriate to balance that with an article from the archives with Tips to Maintain Balance in Life. 

Learning to achieve balance in your life is every bit as important as learning to balance a motorcycle. When you’re out of balance on your motorcycle the feedback is immediate and the consequences potentially devastating. That’s what makes them such good teachers.

Balancing all aspects of life can be tricky. The effects of being off kilter can be harder to recognize and take longer to surface, but the long-term effects can be equally as debilitating. If you don’t respond to messages from your body and your intuition, you increase the potential for developing an illness or having an accident. It’s the equivalent of falling off your motorcycle.

7 Tips to Restore Balance in Life

Know where you’re going

It sounds fundamental and it is. But it’s often forgotten and you end up trying to be everything to everyone. That doesn’t work. Having a clear direction in mind, setting your course and sticking with your priorities does. Only then can you take the steps to get to your destination.

Hone your skills

Physical, mental and emotional acuity are essential for maintaining balance on a motorcycle. Understanding how to use physical controls means knowing what they are, how they work and how to use them.

It’s the same when it comes to being successful in life. Choosing growth opportunities that challenge your comfort zone involve a learning curve. During these times, it’s particularly important to offset the load in once area by allocating time for rest, meditation and exercise.

Keep your eyes up & look where you want to go

And that’s where you’ll go. It’s your choice. There are always going to be distractions and fear is always going to rear its head. Target fixation – i.e. focusing on them, is a real danger because it will draw you into trouble. While you definitely need to acknowledge its role, scan your road ahead for hazards, you’ll stay balanced only by staying focused on where you want to go.

Practice attentive relaxation

When you’re relaxed, you’re much more alert, aware and better able to handle what life delivers. Release negative thinking, avoid over analyzing and enjoy the scenery.

Distribute weight evenly

Stay centered. Not only does this refer to what you take on but how much burden you carry and where you carry it. Nurturing body, mind, and spirit equally are essential for your total wellbeing. Take only what is yours and let others do the same.

Keep Going

It’s easy to stay balanced when everything is moving along, just as you planned. However, life doesn’t stick to your plan and challenges appear in spite of the best-laid plans. Stopping puts you at higher risk of getting mired down and stuck in the very challenge you’re trying to avoid.

Ask for help

Experts are standing by to help! Spirit always provides the resources you need when you need them. Often all it takes is a request for help. You’ll be surprised at what materializes.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you’ve ever watched a toddler learning to walk, you’ll know it takes resilience to get up time after time, but it’s the only way to learn. Lying on the ground metaphorically or literally, and feeling sorry for yourself doesn’t move you ahead or teach you the lesson. Learn from your mistakes, get back on and do it right. Or at least better.

When things go amok, what’s your favorite way to restore balance? Tell us in the Comments.

photo credit: Theo Crazzolara Balanced Rock – Lassen National Park via photopin (license)