Graffiti Gramma And An Unconventional Path To Success

Wake up early, they say.

Start before the roosters crow. Leave your work at the office. Dedicate equal time to work and to play. Yadda-yadda-yadda. They all seem to say the same thing, and no matter where you read it, the only difference is the person who wrote it. All in an effort to show the "proper" way to achieve work-life balance.

I call bullsh*t.

I say, let's kick the legs out from under this table and then flip it upside down. But more specifically, here's exactly what I mean. Agree or disagree; either way, you're gonna leave here wicked curious and maybe even implement some (or all) of these tactics.

The Ultimate Goal is Imbalance

Embrace the beauty of imbalance.

Life is not a perfectly weighted scale; seize the chaos as it can be invigorating and productive. As Littlefinger says in Game of Thrones, "Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them."

I'd rather step onto the ladder and climb and fall than try to find a silly balance in everyday mediocrity.

Compartmentalize Your Life Like a Bento Box

Divide your life into distinct compartments, like a Japanese Bento box.

This clear delineation can make you more efficient and focused. And the most wonderful part is that each box is its own shape and size. So feel free to mix and match what you put into each box. Give more time to the family box and less time to work this week. Then flip the script next week.

Change it weekly, monthly, annually, or whatever tickles your maverick fancy.

You Can Have It All, With Careful Juggling

It's possible to strive for everything, provided you're ready to juggle.

Prepare to catch the balls when they drop, rearrange them, and keep going. Life doesn't have to be a single endeavor journey. You don't only have to be known as ONE thing. Do it all. Be it all. Have it all.

You may drop a ball from time to time, but dammit, at least you went for it.

Ditch Time Management, Embrace Chaos

Surrender to spontaneity rather than obsessing over time management.

Time just "is." One cannot literally manage it. The best one can hope for is to manage their energy towards the usage of time. Relish in the chaos and make your decisions for yourself. We all have different values, goals, and passions - so naturally, you'll also have different methods for tackling the chaos.

By embracing the chaos that comes with life, you can learn to find harmony in unplanned moments that might fuel your creativity and innovative spirit.

Technology is a Distraction, Not a Solution

Resist the temptation to use technology to free up time.

Ditch the timers. Get rid of the apps that graph your days. Toss out the ones that block distracting websites. Put down the phone you use to monitor your email. Instead, just go with the flow and see what it's like to explore your life without a GPS tracking your every move. Technology should be used as an aid, not a crutch.

Engage in manual tasks to increase your mindfulness and improve the quality of your work.

Sleep In, and Then Hit the Ground Running

Forget being the early bird.

I believe there's a lot to be said for folks who cherish late nights. Consider being a night owl; start work when others are winding down. It's not all about the hours worked or even the actual time of the day, but rather the work and results delivered.

Sleep in until you naturally wake up and seize the energy of alertness. You can stay out late, sleep in, get your work done, and still find a balance between work and life.

Your unconventional routine might lend you a fresh perspective.

And on that note…

Off-Hours Are the Best Hours for Work

Defy conventional wisdom and work during your "off-hours."

Your most innovative ideas may strike during these unconventional periods. Heck, there have even been times when a night out with the wife lent to some of my greatest ideas. Playing with my kids inadvertently helped me find innovative solutions.

Is it "work"? I dunno. I kinda think they can gently bleed into one another and still maintain healthy segregation.

The More You Work, The Happier You'll Be

Immerse yourself in work; it might be your significant source of happiness.

Look, the truth is that we've been brainwashed into believing that work is a necessary evil. That's just so not true. For many of us, "work" is our passion. It's what drives us and gets us out of bed in the morning (or, at least, from the comfy confines of your couch).

So don't just accept work as a chore; let it become part of your identity and revel in it. Passion is infectious, so who knows?

The feeling of creating something meaningful can bring immense satisfaction.

Keep Your Schedule Unpredictable

While scheduling crucial appointments is necessary, try to embrace unpredictability.

There's a strange beauty in not knowing what each day will bring. Freedom and opportunity lurk in the spaces between your daily tasks. This is when creativity can thrive, as these moments allow you to make connections that wouldn't otherwise be seen - allowing for new ideas and perspectives.

Unconventional paths are often the most rewarding; let these moments fill your days with surprise and adventure.

Leaving room for spontaneous decisions might lead to unexpected opportunities and joyous surprises.

The final word

Finding balance in life doesn't have to mean a perfect equilibrium.

Instead, embrace the chaos and live your life with intention by compartmentalizing it like a Bento box. You can strive for everything you want if you're ready to juggle - drop some balls but keep going. Technology should be used as an aid, not a crutch, so ditch time management and use technology sparingly. Lastly, don't forget that off-hours are sometimes the best hours for work, and unpredictable moments often lead to unexpected opportunities.

Now go on, go out there, and create something meaningful while living your wildest dreams!

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