Tricky one huh?

Balance and hustle can mean different things to different people.

According to Dictionary.com Balance (noun) is mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior,judgment, etc.

Here’s my definition.

Balance. Balance to me is spending time with family and friends, disconnected from work.  Balance is spending time outside, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air OR cuddling up on the couch on a rainy day.  Balance is indulging in my favorite foods, drinks, and guilty pleasure t.v. shows.  Balance is getting on my yoga mat and being a student.  Balance is lacing up my sneakers, and going for a run.  Balance is spending time with my fiance and puppy, whether that’s being playful or chatting about our days or even our far off dreams.  Balance is peace and quiet.  Balance is time. Balance is space.

According to Dictionary.com Hustle (noun) is energetic activity, as in work.

Here’s my definition.

Hustle. Hustle is getting sh*t done, as in work.  Hustle is working my day job and then coming home and working on my “side job.” Hustle is making to-do lists and checking things off.  Hustle is having goals. Hustle is sacrificing time in order to get closer to those goals.  Hustle is staying up late and getting up early.  Hustle is succeeding in your work. Hustle is creating something you stand for and behind.

So how do we navigate through our daily lives with a little bit (or a lot) of hustle and a little bit (or a lot) of balance?  It’s something I struggle with daily. As I sit here on my “day off”  I realize I’ve been glued to the computer for three hours with, believe it or not, a to-do list to my right.  In a few more minutes I’ll be able to check off ‘write blog post’!

I’m not sure I’ll ever master this concept (unless I move to San Diego, or so I hear).  But I guess life isn’t about mastering.  We are not perfect.  We are constantly in a mode of trying things out, practicing. Isn’t that why we call Yoga a practice? And although I haven’t mastered it, I do my best to practice this whole balance and hustle thing.

A little bit of balance and a little bit of hustle.  Here’s what that looks like to me:

Getting on my mat at least three times a week.  Choosing one night a week to enjoy my fiance’s company, sit outside, take in the view, enjoy a good meal, and sip a glass of wine.  Choosing one day a week to work on my blog (that’s been a tough one lately). Networking and meeting new people. Crushing goals and then taking vacation. Traveling. Getting outside for five minutes or five hours. Making plans with friends. Seeing my family. Investing in my own learning and development. Listening to podcasts on the drive to work, and listening to music on the drive home.  Finding opportunities to get me closer to my goals. Doing nothing. Cuddling up on the couch with my puppy, but only after writing this blog.

There you have it! What’s balance and hustle look like to you?  Have it mastered?