We hear so much about finding work-life balance.

I agree with Tyler Ward in his recent blogpost entitled Work/life balance isn’t about balance. It’s about rhythm, not balance. We live in an age in which an absurd amount of information and stimulation is available to us — we are constantly digitally, intellectually, telephonically, or visually stimulated — creating an electronically induced panic that we’ll be left behind. What might happen if we don’t listen to that one last inspirational audio book while falling asleep or read that blog, take that teleclass? What if you fall behind the curve of D O I N G? Will your business be left in the dust of more diligent marketers with the latest sales tools? Will you miss out on the latest in what’s trending in business, fashion, reading… life?

The culprit is, at least partly, our natural urge to compare ourselves.

In our Rich and Prosperous Woman Event, Kim DeYoung and I interviewed 18 women business owners with the idea of pulling back the curtain to show some of the warts and struggles all women in business have. The damage in comparison is that in this digital age, everything is retouched in some form. We don’t see the wrinkles and the wrestling that goes on behind closed doors—with pretty much everyone, as we flounder to find ourselves, battle the fears, and attempt to pull inspiration from the inevitable exhaustion.  We feel we pale in comparison and are creating superwoman ideals and frankly, most of us believe we can be superwomen. But to what end?

Look—I was designed to work. I love my work. I love the women I work with and even love being online—until I hit a wall. If I don’t pay attention to my personal rhythms, I can keep going with the best of them only to find myself flat out uninspired, unenthused, disorganized or plain old bored. The screen that brought me entertainment, stimulation, and a vehicle to reach more women becomes somewhat loathsome to me.  My creativity tanks and I feel just. plain. tired.

Creative souls find this wall frequently when they push to create, instead of allowing the creativity to come from within.  Creative and non-creative souls alike, we all spend so much time in our heads that we need to travel the 18 inches down to our heart and soul, and reconnect to the rhythms of being human…being part of the natural world.

SO, what do you do? Like Arianna Huffington suggests, start by taking your cellphone and computer out of your bedroom. Create a space of peace and rest. I’m as guilty as the next of grabbing my computer before bed to do “one last thing.” But it’s something I must stop.

Rhythm is particular to each of us individually.

Some of you may find that there are some days where you feel herculean—you can do the job of two women in one day— only to find yourself uninspired or unfocused the next. So, number two: Respect your flow. Notice when you’re on and when you’re off. You don’t always have the luxury of being off when your body, mind, and spirit want you to, but as much as possible take some time off of doing and just be.

The brain produces what’s called gamma waves from too much thinking. Gamma waves shut down executive function and creativity. The executive functioning part of your brain is what helps you make decisions, prioritize, and focus. When you’ve not given your brain enough freaking time off, trying to tap into your executive functioning will feel like you’re slogging through a field of thick molasses. Stuck, slow-moving. Ineffective.

So the irony is to slow down to be more productive, to return to a sense of loving your life and not feeling at the receiving end of all the chaos. Crazy, isn’t it? Our brains and bodies really need us to rest when rest is called for.

Here’s my prescription for finding your rhythm.

1. Start watching nature. There is a wisdom there that you can follow. Meaning, there’s a growth and decay process, a season for everything. As my coach says, you don’t see a maple tree trying to be an oak tree.  Are you trying to be something you’re not? You also don’t see animals pushing and not resting (unless their life is threatened). How can you apply that to your life?
2. Start paying attention to when you feel more “on” vs “off.”
3. Respect that! If you’re someone who simply can’t exercise or focus at 7 a.m., shift your schedule around. If you work better at night, give yourself time off during the day for exercise and rest. Are you better at sales calls in the morning or afternoon? Does your writing or art seem effortless at different points?
4. Play around with different cycles. See when you feel at your best.  For example:
   1. How many hours of sleep is best for you? GET THEM. Your body can’t repair itself, and your brain can’t process all that’s coming in without adequate rest.
   2. Do you need to employ a “thinking day” or couple of hours? Yup, where all you do is sit around relaxing and thinking. You’d be amazed how much more productive you are on “working days” and how much inspiration comes from those moments.
   3. How do hormonal cycles play into it? Some women need more exercise before their period, and others are exhausted just after. Some women are more in tune with their sexuality mid-cycle and some are more creative during their menstruation. Notice how you feel at different points. Respect those rhythms, too!
5. Realize constant creativity and work is unsustainable.  Think of productivity and creativity as a wave. The wave builds to a crest, stays at the crest for a bit, then slows into more placid water. Respect where you are on “the wave” of your own rhythm of productivity, creativity, and just plain doing.

The bottom line? Respect the way you were designed.

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