b'Leadership CSIA 29It was suddenly irrelevant.The only thing that mattered was showing upfor him, for my family, for the moments that couldnt be rescheduled or outsourced or postponed until Q4.Eight months of treatment clarified a truth that corporate culture tends to ignore: You dont find balance by trying to do more. You find it by choosing what mattersand being present for it.Everything else is noise.Why the Old Model Doesnt WorkWork-life balance fails for one simple reason: it assumes work comes first.Even the phrasing puts life in second placesomething you try to fit in after the grind. That structure is inherently flawed.Balance is found in space, not in weight. Start with Stop, Chapter 1Its not about doing everything equally. Its about creating the right proportions. Sometimes that means giving more energy to work. Other times, it means stepping back entirely becauselifedemandsyourattention.Realbalanceis flexible. Its human.Life-Work Balance: A ReframeImagine flipping the script. Instead of trying to integrate life into your work, what if you integrated your work into your life? - What am I carrying that I was never meant to hold?This is what I call life-work balance. It starts with a clear- What would happen if I said no just once this week?centeryour why. Your values. Your purpose. Not your jobYou dont create space by adding. You create it by subtracting. CENTRAL STATES INSULATION ASSOCIATIONtitle or your email inbox.And heres the kicker: when you put life first, work doesntSo What Now?suffer. It becomes more focused, more efficient, and often,If youre waiting for the perfect time to reset your priorities, let more fulfilling. me save you the suspenseit wont come. Life wont slow Youdontneedtoquityourjoborwalkawayfromthedown for your clarity. You have to claim it in motion.business you built. You just need to stop letting it consumeStart by saying it out loud: Life comes first.every available part of you. Let your schedule reflect that. Let your conversations reflect that. Let your leadership reflect that.Start Subtracting You dont have to balance life and work. You just have to Balanceisntaboutaddingmoreself-caretoanalreadystop putting work in charge.packed schedule. Its not about squeezing in a walk between Zoom calls or meditating for five minutes before bed so youAuthor Bio:can wake up and do it all again. This article is adapted from Chapter 1 of Ray Gages book, Start with Its about eliminating the things that dilute your presence andStop: Reimagining Success by Letting Go of Whats Not Working. drain your energy. Rayisaleadershipcoach,speaker,andentrepreneurhelping Ask yourself: individuals and organizations break free from outdated norms and - What can I stop doing that no longer serves me? create space for what truly matters.csiaonline.org'