Tip: The key to life is balance!
Several years ago I took Carl Smith with me to play golf with my good friend, Zig Ziglar. At that time Zig was still in good health. Carl was our Director of Training here at Personality Insights for many years. It had been his life-long dream to meet Zig.
We flew to Utah and had a wonderful time enjoying the beauty of the nature that surrounded us each day as we played golf with Zig and several other business associates. (I am not much of a golfer, but it does feel good to hit the ball as hard as I can and watch to see where it goes. It is a great way to relieve stress and frustration!)
Carl, Zig and I had our picture taken together and I later gave it to Carl as a Christmas present. He was so excited about the picture that his eyes filled up with tears. Those of you who know Carl are aware that tears come easily to him. He is one of the nicest, most caring people I have ever known.
Anyway, one afternoon Carl got to be Zig’s golf partner. As they were riding in the golf cart, Carl asked Zig, “What do you think is the key to life?”
Zig thought for a moment and answered, “All of my experience has taught me that the key to life boils down to one thing: balance.”
He went on to explain that it is important to have balance in every area of our daily experience. To do that, one must work hard, have good relationships, have a healthy spiritual life, learn how to handle money and continue to grow personally as well as professionally. Zig said it is necessary for us to take care of ourselves in many different areas: physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and socially if we want to be successful.
I had no idea that Carl would be asking Zig such a great question, but I sure was excited to hear what he said. I could not help but think about the reality of what he said. I have known people who have devoted so much time, effort and energy in trying to become a financial success that they lost some of their most important personal relationships in the process.
Thinking about Zig’s answer caused me to remember a poem I once saw posted on the wall of the gym where I used to work out years ago. It read:
There once was a man who had wonderful health,
But recklessly he squandered it, accumulating wealth.
When at last his health was gone,
He tried with all his might and mane,
And spent his wealth to regain his health,
But alas, it was all in vain.
I never spent much time trying to memorize that poem, but since I saw it every day, for some reason, it stuck with me. It reminds me how important it is to stay balanced.
I realize this is a constant challenge for those of us who enjoy working and love what we do for a living. I know from first-hand experience that it is easy for me to become driven to the point of becoming a workaholic. I struggle when I spend time doing things that I feel are relaxing but are not financially profitable. So, I am on this journey with you, learning that balance really is the key to life.
Why not get alone sometime soon and take an inventory of the different areas of your life? It might be a good idea to cut back in some areas and increase in others. As long as you are trying to stay balanced in your life, you will achieve the secret to what life really is all about.
Zig was one of the few people I know who was the “real deal”. The more I got to know him, the more character, integrity and honesty I observed. I trust him and believe what he said to be true. You can too!
Tip: The key to life is balance!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
