A couple of years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by radio host Lolis Garcia Baab, for her show, The Ladies Room with Lolis. Following is a segment where we discussed the subject of “balance,” and how it seems to be a very popular concept. Click below to hear my thoughts on balance in the two-minute clip. The transcript also appears below. Check back for more of the conversation, and if you have thoughts you’d like to share, please do so in the comments. I’d love to read them. Thanks for visiting!
Thoughts on Balance (2 mins.)
Lolis: It’s interesting…before we went on the air I told you last week I had a guest on that was talking about “balance,” and how women are…and men…but women, are obsessed with the whole idea of balance, and she actually talked about how we should stop talking about balance and start talking about strategies, and you’re all about strategies. You’re all about that, so what do you think are some of the most important or glaring things that jump out at you from your clients and their needs?
Maura: When people talk about balance, often times what they’re talking about is really being “present” in your personal life when you are at home or trying to enjoy some recreational activity, and then being present in your professional life when you are trying to work and focus on your professional life. And it’s really hard for a lot of people to do that, especially women, because we never stop worrying about our families, and our house and our kids, so when we’re at work, and the phone rings, and it’s home, people freak out because “oh no, what’s happening at home,” and so it’s hard to focus, it’s hard to be present in work, and hard to be present at home, because when you’re home…you know, you try to leave at 5 or 6 o’clock, get home at a decent hour, and then the phone rings, and you’re afraid that something’s exploding at work, and so, really to me, you achieve balance when you are able to have that separation and you can focus on your personal life when you’re trying to relax, and enjoy some recreational time, and when you can focus exclusively on your professional life when you’re trying to be productive and trying to get things done.
Lolis: And actually, that is the best definition of balance I have ever heard.
Maura: Well thanks!
Lolis: Honestly, honestly. I am telling the truth, I have never…it IS, that’s exactly what it is, it’s being present, in whatever it is that you’re doing, because I experienced that. When I had my children and I was at work, I was always worried about what was going on at home, and when I was at home I was worried about what was going on at work!
Maura: That’s right.
