Why Sidetracking Works in the Long Haul

Published on 9/9/2021 by Jackie Olmstead — Good afternoon, my friends! I recently had a wonderful conversation with my good friends about how I am feeling regretful about not being as on “top of” my writing or business goals. So actually, upon reflection, I have been doing so many other things in the background to get the other parts of my life in balance as well.

So that we can live this life in a holistic way, we need to look at ourselves in whole. Take a look at the visual I put together and write down anything that comes up for you (below). This could also be a wonderful thing to have in front of you while you journal.

If you don’t have time in this moment to look at all your parts (I list eight below), here’s something you can do real quick that is a mind-blowing visual for yourself: On a sheet of paper, write down EVERYTHING you have “on your plate.” Literally draw a “plate” or a circle on the paper. You will probably find that things will have to be written falling out of the circle line.

The first time I ever did this, I gasped because it was humanly impossible to do all the things I had committed myself to, started, continued to think I could do and be sane. While I think that we can do MORE than we think we can do, I also think that we need to put it all down and MANAGE what it is that we have going on. At that point, we can actually do more, without compromising our quiet and reflective time, our exercise, our family time and more.

In order to not beat ourselves up, I put together a wheel of Balanced Health so that we can visually see all the parts of our lives that we must always be checking on. Because I believe we never actually have them all perfect, that would be impossible. But like the airline pilots who are always correcting the flight path so that they end up overall always going forward but tweaking the direction every so often, we do this too.

It gives you time to reflect on your Path: What’s working? What’s not working? What does it look like from a third party perspective?
Are you neglecting the other parts of your whole?
When was the last time you took a step back to evaluate all your “parts”?
What parts have been knocking at your door to give some attention to?
Are you able to reflect each day on all the parts?
What parts do you need to replace with something else because that part doesn’t even exist? (for example, a life partner? Do you allow yourself to be your own partner?)

So with the understanding of never getting it all done or perfect or even balanced, doesn’t that feel good to take a peek at the grander scheme? I would love to hear what you come up with. What tweaks or changes can you make today to relieve some worry or stress?

I had to let go of the idea that I will be able to get it all done. It sounds trite, but truly is an exercise in my daily routine. And so, another day of connecting with my online followers is fulfilled, off to go scratch my kitties’ bellies! It satisfies my emotional, spiritual and family sectors!!!