Beyond Balance: The Art of a Fulfilled Life
- Ayla Zimmerman
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Recently, I had a fascinating conversation with Sarah, an artist, teacher, and community leader who embodies a truly balanced and deeply fulfilling life.
Sarah is in the retirement age range, but unlike many who eagerly embrace more leisure time—travel, pickleball, and afternoons with no agenda—she finds immense purpose in continuing to do what she loves. Her work is not just a job; it’s an integral thread in the rich tapestry of her life.
She creates art, both for herself and on commission. She collaborates on public projects, working alongside organizations, leaders, and fellow artists to bring creative visions to life to benefit the entire community. She teaches, mentoring young artists and watching them evolve over the years. She is deeply engaged in her community. And on top of it all, she enjoys a vibrant personal life filled with friendships, family, faith, and hobbies.
Her story is a powerful reminder that balance isn’t about rigidly dividing time—it’s about aligning our life’s elements in a way that sustains us.
The Life Wheel—A Closer Look
Last week I introduced you to my Life Wheel tool to do a reflection on different aspects of life—career, health, relationships, community, finances. Click the link below if you missed it!
But what my conversation with Sarah brings to light is that within each of these broad categories, there’s a double-click waiting to happen.
Take career, for example. Too often, we reduce it to one question: How’s work going? But a fulfilling career—like Sarah’s—isn’t just about doing work; it’s about what that work provides, both personally and externally.
So let’s zoom in. Within your career, there are different layers:
Giving Back – The ways we contribute to something larger than ourselves (volunteering, white papers, professional organizations).
Paying Ourselves – The work that fuels our deepest interests and aligns with our values; the work we appreciate more than anyone else.
Paying it Forward – Investing in the next generation (mentorship, teaching, leadership development).
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD!
Sarah has crafted a professional life that encompasses all three—and that’s why it brings her so much meaning. It’s why she’s not in a rush to step away, even when conventional wisdom suggests it’s “time” to retire.
Missed the Podcast? Listen HERE and Watch HERE
Comments