By Alicia M. Rodriguez (USA)
One of the greatest saboteurs my clients face, especially women, is the myth of balance. As a coach to busy people and as an entrepreneur myself, the amount of responsibilities and pressure today can be overpowering. Who has not felt overwhelmed at some time? Particularly women who manage multiple roles are prone to feel like jugglers constantly shifting to manage all the things in their lives. With all the hype about “balance” and leading a “balanced life” women are destined to fail miserably.
The current definition of “balance” is a set up for failure. Our lives are complicated and unpredictable. Especially for women, balance creates an “either/or” dynamic which translates for women: damned if you do/damned if you don’t. For example, I can work out and take care of myself or I can do the grocery shopping; I can go to work and have a career, or I can be a stay-at-home-mom. Because of women’s multiple roles, and the lack of support for these in our culture, the myth of balance imposes double bind situations and unrealistic expectations. We proceed to beat ourselves up over not being able to do or have it all. It does not get much better for men either, who have their own set of cultural expectations that leaves little time or even permission for self-care, for following a passion or for going to their kids games and activities.
Source: iCN Issue 12 (Personal Coaching); pages 18-19
About Alicia M. Rodriguez
Alicia is a transformational teacher, leadership advisor and personal guide. She is a dynamic speaker, author, blogger, writer and visionary whose work unites the world of business with wisdom, mindfulness and spirituality. The base of her own wisdom lies in her studies of spiritual teachings, psychological frameworks, cognitive science studies, and ancestral wisdom traditions. She lives on the Chesapeake Bay where she engages her passion for kayaking and writing and in South America, where she lives part-time and hosts healing and creativity retreats in her home by the ocean.
Personal Coach www.aliciamrodriguez.com
Leadership Coaching www.sophia-associates.com
