Are you fascinated by jugglers? We are! Around the holidays, we sent our newsletter subscribers a link to an amazing video of a guy juggling six or seven balls AND playing a song on a keyboard!
How do jugglers keep all those balls going? Since we’re not jugglers, we did some research. We found step-by-step instructions to learn how to juggle, written by Dr. Craig Rusbult. He taught juggling at the University of Washington for ten years.
Can we learn anything from jugglers about balancing our professional and personal lives?
It turns out that we can!
Start with one ball.
You need to start with one ball and get used to the motion and pattern. Practice reaching the same peak time after time. It won’t be easy at first, but over time you’ll naturally control the ball.
To juggle work and life, start with one “ball” – work, family, you-time, or another area. Obviously, you can’t ignore the other areas, but you can, and must, FOCUS on one area to start.
Find the pattern in that area – take it to its peak while keeping it under control. Otherwise, it will control you.
Start adding balls, one at a time.
Once you’ve mastered one ball, add a second. Get used to juggling the two balls while staying in control. Then add another. You’ll see that it’s not that hard to juggle three balls because you only have one ball in the air at a time.
In your real life, add a second area and give it the attention it deserves. Then add a third. At any given moment, you’ll only have one ball in play. However, you’re always planning to put the next one in play. You’re juggling your life like a pro!
4 tips to become a great work-life juggler
- Practice, practice, practice
Like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it gets.
- Find your rhythm
Consistency is the key – you know what to expect. You’ve established patterns of behavior. Your balls peak at the same height, which keeps your timing in check.
- Keep it going.
Getting started is the hard part. Once you get it going and find your rhythm, it just naturally happens. You’re relaxed – you don’t have to force it, you’re just going with the flow.
- Maintain a positive attitude
Don’t worry about dropping the ball. You’re not perfect. Don’t expect yourself to be. Just smile and start juggling again!
| How do you juggle all the balls in your life? Leave us a Comment. |
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Our Bigg Quote comes from Thomas Merton:
but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”
It’s fun to watch a juggler, but the act always comes to an end. Learn to juggle your life because your show must go on!
Next time, we’ll discuss what to do when you have more potential than your job offers. Until then, here’s to your bigg success!
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Thanks to you guys, I’ve had circus music in my head all day today…make it stop!!!
I think delegation is key for juggling it all. Sometimes you just have to pass the ball off to someone else.
Kay, at least it’s happy music dancing around in your head! Paul, excellent point! We appreciate your comments.
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