Should we Strive for Balance or Harmony?

Merriam Webster defines Balance as “stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of a vertical axis,” and Harmony as a “pleasing arrangement of parts.” The Oxford Dictionary defines Harmony as “the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole,” or “the state of being in agreement and concord.”

For years, we have heard of the struggles facing professionals, especially women, in achieving “work-life balance.”  This suggests they seek an equal distribution of time among work, family, hobbies, etc. Time and again we hear that it is impossible to achieve such balance.  And I would agree with this assessment.  If your goal is to lead a joyful life, then focus on achieving harmony, rather than attaining balance. You see, you don’t need to equally prioritize the components of your life.  Instead, those components should reflect your goals and aspirations.

Things in your life that are important to you and that provide satisfaction at a specific stage in your life should command additional time and attention.  If, for example, you are a single, young professional with no children, you might achieve a place of harmony by investing additional time in your career.  You can derive satisfaction and fulfillment from excelling in your craft and being recognized as an expert in your field.  Your priorities may differ if you are a seasoned professional with children.  You may need to redirect some of your time towards family activities in order to feel you are living a fulfilling life.

Finding harmony will require reflection.  You must determine what will bring happiness and satisfaction at your current stage in life. There is no right or wrong answer.  There is no “one size fits all” formula for finding harmony. Harmony depends on your priorities, goals, relationships, and other factors.

Think of your family life, career, spiritual life, health, and hobbies.  Identify which are your priorities. Are you dissatisfied with an aspect of your life that is important to you? How much additional attention should you invest in them to feel satisfied? What actions will you take to direct more time to those aspects of your life? What is your formula to achieve harmony?