Measuring the Cost: Life Balance

I really enjoyed this week's lessons, because it was so applicable to my life, and the constant questions I ask myself. I took so much away from the videos, readings, and assignments. I was really able to think about different scenarios and why certain things, such as time for family and away from work, really matter.

Here are a few things that really impressed me, that I hope to always remember and apply to my life.

 In President Monson’s talk, “Formula for Success” I loved how he spoke about three parables; the 10 virgins, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the fig tree and then said, “From those parables I would like to suggest that if we are really to be a chosen generation, we have the responsibility to be prepared, to be productive, to be faithful, and to be fruitful as well. What we need, as we journey along through this period known as mortality, is a compass to chart our course, a map to guide our footsteps, and a pattern whereby we might mold and shape our very lives. May I share with you a formula that in my judgment will help you and help me to journey well through mortality and to that great reward of exaltation in the celestial kingdom of our Heavenly Father.” He then says that the formula is that we “first, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love.” We should learn, understand, and live by the word of God, not by the philosophies of men. We should serve others, magnify our callings, and share our testimonies, because if we don’t, it may perish. I feel strongly that Heavenly Father intends for us to be prepared, productive, faithful and fruitful. He didn’t send us here for no reason. We each have a purpose and need to apply this formula in our lives to become what He intends for us.

In the video “Balancing Your Life and Your Career Successfully” by Randy Komisar I was reminded that money, power, and opportunity don’t bring happiness. He also pointed out that we need to balance our lives, so we can do the things that we enjoy. Another great piece of advice Randy Komisar gave is to “never put yourself in a situation where you can’t say no.” I feel this is good advice for anything we do in life, whether it’s with our time, with our job, our even with standards, friends, family, etc.  

In the video “Is Work/Life Balance Possible?” by Ann Miura-Ko talked about the work- life balance and how it is hard to say it’s balanced. She talks about the struggle it can be, but she reminds us to be passionate and believe that you feel it’s worth it in the end, in any job we have. What would be the point of working/doing anything if we didn’t believe it was worth something? I need to remind myself of these things, at times I feel overwhelmed. And if it isn’t worth it, then to quit, and focus on something that is.

I really enjoyed Stephen W. Gibsons thoughts on money, and I like him feel that money is not only a neccessary part of our lives, but that it is something we need to pay attention to, work at, and do our best with, including the need to work to earn money, and should be self-reliant through it.

From the book, “So You Want to be an Entrepreneur” I loved everything the author said and the advice the author gave about balancing your life, and to put those we love and care about first, because they are truly what make us happy and worth the work and efforts we put into our career. 

And lastly, from “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” reading, I found the following quote to be really meaningful and something we should strive to do. It said, “Along the journey, learn to embrace mistakes and adversity. Take more chances and suffer more defeats. Extend yourself. Long-term research on aging shows that you are far more likely to regret what you have not done, than to regret your errors and mistakes. You are much stronger and tougher than you think. We fear most what we never experience. Embrace adversity as a lesson in humility. Use it to remind yourself to be grateful for what you have.”