Juggling Act: Finding Balance in a Multi-Faceted Life
- Sara Mangan Ramelb
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
My recent conversation with the brilliant violinist Kurt (listen here) about returning to passions reminded me of a moment early in my consulting career. I was at The Lakehouse—a modern, dedicated training facility—having a conversation about the relentless demands of a full-time travel schedule. As seasoned “sky warriors,” we both knew the challenges all too well.
She shared a metaphor that has stuck with me ever since:
“Life is a juggling act of glass and rubber balls. Some things—like my kids, my health—are glass. Drop them, and they shatter. Other things bounce back when dropped. The key is keeping your closest focus on the glass ones.”
I love this metaphor—but I also think it could use a slight upgrade.
The Reality of Juggling Too Much
At Lakehouse, I was starting over. After spending nearly a decade with one company (and five years at the one before that), the pandemic-era consulting boom lured me into new opportunities. Over two years, I changed jobs more than once, doubling my compensation (!) in the process.
But every leap came with a challenge. New environments meant learning new org structures, adapting to new cultures, and performing at an increasingly higher level. Without an established network to rely on, I had to ask for help—often. And that, as it turns out, was the real unlock.
Vulnerability: The Ultimate Cheat Code
Growing up lower-working-class and Gen X, vulnerability wasn’t exactly in my DNA. But embracing it changed everything. Asking for help didn’t just accelerate my learning—it built deeper connections. People want to help, and giving them that opportunity is a gift to both sides.
But while I leaned hard into work, I inevitably leaned away from other areas of my life. My health suffered. I spent less time with family. I was often mentally checked out when I should have been present.
And that brings me back to the juggling metaphor.
The Upgrade: When Rubber Turns to Glass
I’ve come to realize that every area of your life starts as a rubber ball. You can drop it occasionally—it’ll bounce. But neglect it for too long, and it starts to harden.
You might skip workouts or miss family dinners when a work project demands your attention. That’s life. But if you deprioritize an area for too long, the ball stops bouncing. It turns to glass—susceptible to cracks that are much harder to repair.
The key isn’t just knowing which balls are glass now—it’s recognizing which ones are slowly becoming glass.
Taking Inventory: Where Are You Out of Balance?
You’ve probably seen some version of a life wheel, a tool that helps visualize different aspects of life—career, health, relationships, personal growth, and more. It’s a simple but powerful way to assess where your time and energy are going.
In our group coaching experience, we do an in-depth exercise to align values with intention. But you can start right now with a quick self-assessment:
Exercise: Your Balance Check-In
Download the Circle Worksheet PDF above
Track your time: Review a representative two-week period in your calendar (no holidays or unusual events). Where did your time actually go?
Assess your energy: For each category, ask: Does this area energize or drain me? Mark it!
Spot the misalignment: Are there areas where you’re dedicating too little time? Too much time with little return? Where might you benefit
Make adjustments: Identify one or two areas to rebalance, identify something new to try, then set a reminder right now to reassess in three months.
Final Thought: You Play How You Practice
Balance isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s a dynamic practice. If your baseline habits are solid, you’re more likely to sustain balance when life gets chaotic.
So, what are you juggling? And more importantly—are you keeping an eye on the balls that might be turning to glass?
Join the conversation: Share your insights in the comments or check out our coaching experience to take this work further.
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