Busy? That's the new badge of honor.

How frequently do you address parring down your schedule to the most important aspects of life? I do it often. Yet, we are becoming busier. I wonder; are we failing our goals or delving deeper by taking-on more in the few areas of our lives that matter?

Years ago, each time when my children where moved on from one phase of life to the next, I promised myself to dedicate more to what matters and less to the distractions. Now that they are grown and on their own, I am still working toward that goal. Why? I am disciplined, dedicated, and purposeful in my living, but I am also passionate, not satisfied with mediocrity, and love a challenge. So, I am still trying to find the right balance for my life.

Balance? That's laughable. There really is no such thing. Society has given us a framework to keep ourselves burning brightly without burning out: an eight hour work day, an eight hour sleep cycle, and another eight hours for everything else to be divided as each sees fit. This formula for living may work if you still lived in the 1950's.

The challenge for anyone who wears many hats as I do in this 21st century is that an eight hour work day is not so well defined, anymore than eight hours of sleep or eight hours to....you get the picture. I suggest we let the old 1950's eight-hour segmentation of life be a thing of the past, and embrace the 21st century with a new definition of purposeful living: 16 hour days containing a blend of family, friends, and work, and stop the unnatural divide of life.

Incorporating family tasks into the work day is more common these days; Including work in the life of the family is even more common. I think if we welcome this trend, we will be no less busy, but more relieved from guilt and able to give time and attention to the aspects of life that matter. If you wear the 'busy' badge of honor well, you will probably sleep better, too!

Adjusting the definition of productive living takes away the stress of meeting an out-of-date expectation. Stay busy, and be happy with the continuing challenge of a full day mixed with work, family, and friends. What matters most is being alive, able, and accomplished.