Healthy Life Balance 101: 3 Key Characteristics of the Well-Balanced Woman

Healthy Life Balance.  We’re all seeking it.

Many are asking questions, “How do I get it all done?,” “How do you get it all done?,” “When is this craziness going to end?,” “How do I manage all of that?,” “Can you help?”

Others are searching social media.  Indeed, precious hours elapse as we scroll Pinterest and “Google” pertinent blog posts and articles on the topic.

And some are reading books!

Whatever the means, we are all searching – probing for wisdom, insight, and practical knowledge on HOW TO live a balanced life. 

We believe if we ask the right person, locate the definitive post, or discover the finest self-help book, we will finally achieve the healthy life balance that for the most part is so elusive.

Our quest is like road mirages.

When I was a kid, my family enjoyed several road trips.  I’m talking all the way around the coast of Florida in a week (after driving there from Ohio), a tour of New England, and a couple of trips out west just to name a few.  During all those hours in a car, you think up ways to pass the time.  For me, one of those was spotting mirages.  You know, that dark spot across the road, just up ahead.  You watch it.  Wait for it.  But when you get near; it disappears.

This seems to be the path of our search for healthy life balance.  We ask and probe and read and find more info about it from this post.  We watch and wait for the words or plan that when implemented by us will result in balance.  But we’re never able to grab hold.

May I encourage you today in your search for healthy life balance by suggesting that, perhaps, it time for us to take a different approach?

Yes, there are solid, practical tips out there for helping us balance our major life areas.  However, I do not believe they are our starting point.

As believers in Christ, I would like to propose that God – the creator of people, the creator of time, is our starting point.  Rather than beginning our search with man, we need to begin with God – in His Word and in prayer.  Time spent in the Bible will help us develop a proper perspective and right priorities.

3 Characteristics of the Balanced Woman

Proper Perspective

First, the woman living a life of healthy balance is one with a proper perspective.  One she developed by spending time in God’s Word.

She understands that knowing Jesus is preeminent.  This is her top priority.

 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3, italics added).

Also, by going to the Bible for wisdom and insight on a healthy balanced life, she learns to set clearly defined priorities and order them accordingly.

“God’s Word influences my perspective.  My perspective influences how I respond.  My response influences the outcome of the situation 100% of the time.”  Dr. Ken Nichols

Intentionality

Secondly, a woman of balance is intentional.  Having clearly defined and ordered biblical priorities, she willfully determines to give them proper time and attention.

She is not just AWARE that her relationship with God is of top priority; she makes it her chief aim.

Intentional about nurturing her other God-designed priorities – husband, children, home, family, friends, neighbors, etc. – she purposes to arrange her schedule to reflect those priorities.

This balanced woman puts first things first.  She schedules her priorities by writing them on a calendar.  And she develops screening techniques to make sure things of lesser priority don’t steal away her time.

Organization

The third characteristic of a well-balanced woman is organization.

A woman of healthy balance understands the 80/20 Rule.

80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle) – In most things, roughly 80% of the effects (outcomes) come from 20% of the causes.

Recognizing from this that in effect, 20% of the things she does during her day are the things that matter – the truly important, her biblical priorities – she identifies and focuses on them.

 Organization of her priorities takes many forms:

• A good calendar and scheduling system
• Delegation when needed – spouse, children, friends, co-workers
• An uncluttered life – getting rid of stuff if necessary
• Simplicity

This is where those phenomenal, beneficial, and practical resources come in.  Whether they are found in the answers to our questions, social media searches, or books, the discovered tips and tricks can help us incorporate our priorities into our daily lives.  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  We just want to take care that the search itself or the answers from man don’t become our priority.

In your struggle to live a life of healthy balance, keep first things first.  Begin with God as you spend time in His Word and in prayer.  He is our starting point for living a life of healthy balance.