In life we all have to juggle multiple responsibilities, constantly trying to keep all the balls in the air without dropping any. The daily demands of work, family, health, friends, and spirit can become overwhelming. But it is possible to manage this juggle more effectively, and it starts with understanding the nature of the balls we have in the air and why we juggle them. Today I want to share with you an exercise that can help you mindfully manage this juggle and find a better balance in your life.

The Metaphorical Juggle:

I share this exercise in my book, "You Always Have a Choice." The idea comes from Brian Dyson, former CEO of Coca Cola, who described life as a game of five balls: work, family, health, friends, and spirit. Each of these balls represents a different aspect of our lives that we constantly juggle. He emphasised the fragility of certain aspects of our life, comparing work to a rubber ball that bounces back when dropped, and our relationships, health, and spirit to glass balls that could shatter when dropped. To expand on Dyson's concept, I added two more types of balls – crystal balls (instead of glass) and concrete balls.

The Different Balls We Juggle:

Crystal balls represent your non-negotiables, the aspects of your life that are precious and fragile, such as health and key relationships. These balls cannot be compromised, and dropping them can have significant consequences.

Then, of course, there are the rubber balls—important tasks and responsibilities that are resilient and can be dropped without severe consequences. Work often falls into this category for me. While it is important, it is not as fragile as my health or relationships.

Lastly, there are the concrete balls—tasks, obligations, or relationships that feel heavy and drain our energy. You might juggle these balls out of a misguided sense of obligation, guilt, or the desire to please others. The key is to recognise these concrete balls and understand that they can be dropped without harming your well-being.

Self-Awareness and Empowerment:

The exercise I recommend involves sitting down and naming the balls you're currently juggling in your life. By visualising all the balls in the air, you gain clarity on which ones are your crystal balls, rubber balls, and concrete balls. Once you have identified and labeled your balls, you can decide which ones truly deserve your attention, energy, and time.

It's okay to start small if you find it overwhelming to drop multiple balls at once. You can gradually reprioritise or reassess your balls over time. This exercise is about dynamic prioritisation, navigating your life with intention, and focusing on what truly matters to you.

Life is too short to tolerate an unbalanced juggle. By understanding the nature of the balls you're juggling and making mindful choices, you can take control of your juggle and lead a life that aligns with your values.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here
Download the ‘Control Your Juggle’ Worksheet here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have setbacks in life - but it’s what you do with them that really matters. Today, I sit down with Anita Jacoby, one of Australia's most distinguished television producers, as she shares her insights on resilience, her mindset on setbacks and how she forged a successful career in a male-dominated industry. We hear about how she first started channelling courage from a young age and her advice on taking action to create the life you want.

During her career, Anita has worked on some of the nation's most credible and cutting edge programs, spanning all commercial networks, as well as the ABC, SBS and Foxtel. She has received four AFI Actor Awards, a Logie Award, a Human Rights Award and the Asia Broadcasting Union Award. She is also an author, having recently published her book Secrets Beyond the Screen, and is a notable advocate for women in leadership.

Growing up professionally in the 80s and 90s, Anita faced many challenges in the early days of commercial television, including bullying and harassment. And while misogynistic treatment was normalised, Anita was determined to demonstrate that gender shouldn't define one's capabilities. She talks about the importance of mentors like her father and Kevin Weldon, who empowered her and instilled the belief that anything is possible. It goes to show how crucial role models are in guiding us towards the ambitious goals we set out to achieve.

Anita speaks fondly of her father, a World War II refugee and founder of Sony in Australia, who was her greatest influence in achieving greatness. She talks about the emotional process of researching and writing about her father's life for her memoir, and the challenges of reconciling conflicting aspects of his legacy. Anita reminds us to connect with loved ones and learn about their experiences while we’re still able.

Having experienced significant setbacks in life, Anita explains how she chooses to see the good takeaways that come from them, rather than dwell on the bad. It’s this mindset that has empowered her to muster the courage and resilience to keep going. I know you’ll be as inspired as I was to channel your own courage, develop resilience and pave a path towards the fulfilling career and life you want.

LINKS

Anita’s book: Secrets Beyond the Screen: The award-winning TV producer's compelling search for truth

Connect with Anita:

Instagram: @anitajacobyofficial

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Download the ‘Control Your Juggle’ Worksheet here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.