“There is no such thing as work-life balance – it is all life. The balance has to be within you. – Sadhguru
Usually when we think about work, we think about our job, responsibilities, or the daily tasks of living. When we get a stellar evaluation from our boss, shave ten seconds off our mile time, or clean and organize our home, we feel successful in our work. We thrive in receiving accolade notifications, promotions, and raises. Visual results motivate us. Yet, there are periods when our energy and action need to shift away from this type of external work and focus instead, on inner work. Transformation of our thoughts, emotions, and habits.
The challenge with inner work is that it’s imperceptible. If I exercise consistently, my body will grow. The results are tangible. However, there’s no gold star or chiseled out core when our mindfulness practice helps us temper our reactivity. No accolade notifications when our meditation or breathing practice helps us improve our concentration. We don’t get a promotion when our gratitude practice helps us cultivate more appreciation into our daily lives. The inner work we do on this path doesn’t provide the visible external achievements we get from our job or responsibilities. BUT, inner work is no less difficult. In fact, it is often far more difficult and it is certainly no less important.
Inner work can be some of the most valuable work we can do. Overcoming fear, addiction, regret or depression through patient inner work can lead to significant and long lasting improvements in our lives and the lives of those around us. It can also lead to more creative, innovative and inspired external work! So make a special effort today to recognize and validate your inner work. The hard efforts of transformation, healing, and growth are reserved for those willing to put in the (inner) work.
Enjoy what comes of today!