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Keeping a Work-Life Balance – Michael Hyatt Shares 3 Vital Aspects of Balance

“Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving” – Albert Einstein

In the HBO series True Detective, in episode 3, Marty (Woody Harrelson) was having a slight break down where he explained that “he felt like Wile E. Coyote, running off a cliff, but kept running and running by the possibility that if he kept on running he might just be fine”.

Side Note: If you have NOT yet watched True Detective on HBO, you’re missing out on some of the best TV ever!

Of course, we all know Wile E. Coyote eventually looks down and gravity kicks in.

Accepting too many projects, failing to say ”no” to another when you should have, working long hours into the night, working past 10 pm for a delivery, speaking at too many events, thoughts of month-end sales quota. All they do is prevent a good night’s sleep.

And, that’s just work. Add responsibilities of a family with young children into the mix, house, pet – no time for hobbies. Where’s that jet-pak when you need it?

When Marty spoke of Wile E. Coyote, running off a cliff only to keep running and running, it resonated with me, as I many times feel the same way. If I keep running (keep doing what I do) and I don’t look down, things might be just fine. Heck, I may even make it to the other end where there’s land, allowing me to possibly slow down a bit. Problem: That rarely happens.

While I’m sure many of us can closely relate to this metaphor , the reality is we can’t keep running. We will eventually look down, and gravity will kick our ass so hard, making it sometimes too difficult to get back up at start running again. This industry will do that, many stay down and don’t get back up. Hence, the revolving door at the dealership.

How many jokes run through the dealership – “yeah, Jack has been in the business for 33 years and working on his 8th marriage” – everyone chuckles. Another speaks up “Well, Tom has only been with us for 16 years and he’s getting remarried next weekend, to this 4th wife” – oh, another cheerful laugh follows.

Who’s to blame…

The dealership and the demanding hours and bandwidth?
The sales professional for not finding balance between work and life?

This morning I was reading the latest article “What No One Ever Told You About Work-Life Balance” on one of my favorite leadership blogs – Michael Hyatt | Intentional Leadership.  This already sounds better than running over an edge like Wile E. Coyote – hoping everything will be just fine.

When it comes to work and life, most of us know what it feels like to be Wile E. Coyote. But, do we know what it feels like to be in balance?

It’s not a trick question.

While many of us, friends and those we work with say work-life balance is a myth, an unattainable condition we can only hope for. Michael takes a moment to point out 3 vital aspects of balance we NEED to keep in mind, especially as we apply the concept to our work and life:

  1. Balance is not the same as rest
  2. Balance is dynamic
  3. Balance is intentional.

“Balance isn’t easy, fast, or always fun. It requires constant movement, constant attention.”

Don’t fool yourself and think you can be Wile E. Coyote. You can only keep that speed for so long. Take time to find your “Balance”. Read Michael’s article in its entirety. It’s one of those articles you may find yourself bookmarking for future reads.

I’ll say it one more time:

Take some time and figure out your balance between life and work. It might not always be what you expect it to be.

What are you doing to find balance between working at the dealership and life?
Does your dealer insist on 60+ hours a week at the dealership?
Does your dealership help their staff find balance between work and life?
Did you watch True Detective yet?  🙂

While you’re reading Michael’s article, sign up for his email updates.

Founder of DealerRefresh - 20+ Years of dealership Sales, Management, Training, Marketing and Leadership.