Written by: Dr. Jennifer Jones Bryant, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a senior government leader, I had one of the best and most inspiring mentors and leaders, Mr. Donald Drummer. He brought out the very best in me when I worked for him. I remember I was going through one of the most challenging times in my personal life and still had to show up at work leading a team of 38 federal employees and over 40 contractors while providing oversight of a $1Billion budget. I was pushing myself so hard, but I felt I was at my breaking point. I asked if I could talk to him one day. He always kept an open-door policy and responded positively to my request. We would often catch up in the evenings about our workday, the challenges, and the rewards of the day.
When I shared with him what I was going through and how tough it was for me to push through the day. He told me he would be right back. He gave me a motivational coin( I think his last one) that I carried with me every day, and he asked me to listen later to an inspirational Gospel song by Brian Courtney Wilson, Worth Fighting For. At that moment when he shared an analogy with me that continues to stick with me often -- Glass Balls vs. Rubber Balls -- a lightbulb went off in my head. He said something like this, "in life when we determine our priorities we must look at our glass balls and do whatever we can to not break them. Your glass balls, your priorities, maybe your family, your finances, your health, and spirituality. It may be all of these. Your rubber balls, nonpriority items, will bounce back." And in the last few years, I added that the rubber balls may continue to roll, and that's okay.
I began to think about my priorities in life. I had spent my younger years laser-focused on building my career. In that moment of personal trauma of suddenly losing my mother, a few years later my only sibling(my brother), and ending my 18-year marriage, I had to think about my daughters and be fully present for them. I had to be vulnerable with my leaders and share that I needed time to care for myself, my daughters, and my financial affairs. My leaders and one of my branch managers designated as the lead in my absence were so gracious and allowed me the time to do what was needed. During those times, I focused on my top priorities. I learned that I needed to get out of my way, put my ego and pride aside, and ask for help. I began to look at work-life balance differently and reframed my mindset to "work-life integration."
An idea stemmed from Robert Owen, who originally coined the phrase, "8 hours labour, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours rest" in 1817. It was his idea to divide the day into three equal parts.
Work-life integration is an extension of the work-life balance approach. Instead of there being a conflict between the two areas, work-life integration seeks to unify them in a way that supports both. It is an approach that creates more synergy between all areas that define life, work, home/family, community, personal well-being, and health. As a leader, it is vital to set an example and model the behavior we want to see.
My leadership advice is not to break your glass balls and focus on your work-life integration priorities. Here's how:
Embrace Your Power of Choice. Don't allow every situation to get your attention and get you distracted. You have the power of decision-making.
Determine your top 2-3 priorities daily.
Say no to non-priorities. To decide, ask yourself these questions.
Does it need to happen now?
Why am I focused here?
Am I doing this for the right reason?
Remove distractions from your priorities. Consider putting on your do not disturb on your technology devices. Consider checking out the Top 10 Best Free Time Management Tool, to optimize your calendar and free up blocks of uninterrupted time to maintain work-life integration.
Hold yourself accountable, make flexibility at work and home a priority - intentionally schedule a time to take care of your glass balls, rest times, and some mental time away.
Melanie Koulouris said,
Life is so short. We spend so much time sweating the small stuff; worrying, complaining, gossiping, comparing, wishing, wanting, and waiting for something bigger and better instead of focusing on all the simple blessings that surround us every day. Life is so fragile. All it takes is a single moment to change everything you take for granted. Focus on what's important and be grateful! You are blessed! Believe it! Live your life and leave no regrets.
I challenge you to determine what your glass balls are and where your focus needs to be. And remember, those rubber balls, non-priorities, will bounce back or keep rolling.
Dr. Jennifer Jones Bryant, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Jennifer Jones Bryant was fatherless during her childhood. She spent her teenage years caring for her mother, who was mentally ill when Dr. Bryant’s only sibling was incarcerated. After going through sexual assault and domestic abuse throughout her early twenties and later dealing with the loss of all her loved ones that left her deeply depressed, Dr. Bryant looked past her challenging beginnings and reached within herself, and relied on faith to find strength. She has since spent her life helping others find and grow their inner strength to accelerate to the next level in their careers. Her 33-year career and executive-level experience with the federal government and corporate spanned many functional areas, including budget and finance, human resources, procurement coordination, logistical support, strategic planning, strategic communication, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. She is Executive Founder of Reaching From Within, an Empowerment Journey LLC, the well sought out coaching and mentoring company with thousands of clients worldwide, including federal government agencies, academia, churches, and community organizations. She provides services through workshops, resume reviews and updates, and interview preparations, and goal setting. Dr. Bryant is also the host of the "Empowerment Journey" Podcast, which is consistently among the top podcasts within the Elite Conversation Community. She was featured in Speakers Magazine, Faith Heart, Glam CEO, Power 20, Women on the Verge, VoyATL, One Tribe, and UpWord global magazines, Making Headlines News, Radio One, Great Day Washington WUSA, NBC and ABC affiliates, and ThatAnitaLiveShow, and numerous Podcast interviews. Her mission: Ignite Your Fire® to Propel Your Professional Development.
