In a fast-paced world where demands often outweigh time, achieving balance can feel like an elusive goal. However, balance is not about perfection—it’s about intentionality, self-awareness, and aligning actions with values. During our community event The Art of Balance with Brooke Sheenan, she shared her insights on maintaining equilibrium in life, emphasising self-awareness, prioritisation, and honouring personal energy levels. She provided actionable strategies for managing overwhelm, embracing life’s fluctuations, and fostering a sense of peace and purpose.
Prioritising What Matters
One of the key takeaways from Brooke’s presentation was the importance of prioritisation. Rather than spreading oneself thin across endless responsibilities, she suggested focusing on what truly matters. Setting daily intentions, planning the day backwards, and aligning tasks with core values can help create a sense of direction. By identifying personal definitions of success, individuals can shape their schedules to reflect what is genuinely fulfilling rather than merely urgent.
Embracing Self-Awareness and Boundaries
Brooke emphasised the significance of self-awareness and personal boundaries. Each person has unique values, energy levels, and circumstances that shape their capacity to engage with the world. She encouraged attendees to respect their personal energy and to protect it by setting clear boundaries. Saying ‘no’ to draining situations or obligations can be a powerful act of self-care. Comparison, she noted, is often a thief of joy—focusing on one’s own goals rather than mirroring others is key to achieving balance.
Managing Overwhelm and Cultivating Peace
Feeling overwhelmed is a common challenge, but Brooke provided practical strategies to counteract it. She suggested:
- Naming triggers that contribute to stress.
- Accepting personal tolerance levels for overwhelm.
- Asking daily, “What can I do right now to feel peaceful?”
- Taking intentional pauses between different life roles (e.g., transitioning from work to home life).
- Honouring physical and mental well-being as non-negotiables.
- Rather than striving to do everything, she encouraged attendees to focus on doing what matters most, ensuring energy is spent wisely.
Navigating Life’s Ups and Downs
Balance is not about eliminating challenges but about learning to navigate them with grace. Brooke shared personal experiences of coping with difficulties, including grief and personal setbacks, and highlighted the value of resilience. She emphasised self-compassion and the importance of learning from mistakes rather than allowing them to define us.
She introduced a coaching technique to help individuals:
- Clarify what they truly want.
- Assess their willingness to pursue it.
- Identify and address potential obstacles.
- Tracking progress, setting daily commitments, and giving oneself grace during setbacks were key themes in mastering balance over time.
Harnessing Energy and Emotional Regulation
Understanding one’s energy levels can be a game-changer in maintaining balance discussed the importance of recognising peak energy periods and planning accordingly. The discussion also touched on self-reflection and the power of reframing negative emotions—transforming jealousy or comparison into opportunities for growth instead of self-criticism.
Next Steps for Attendees
To translate insights into action, attendees were invited to implement small yet impactful changes in their daily lives:
- Write down three things they want to do to create more balance.
- Define their personal definition of success.
- Identify “pinch points” in their week and plan ahead to mitigate stress.
- Establish a daily “ante”—a small, meaningful action to complete before midday.
- Explore EFT (tapping) for emotional regulation.
- Track energy levels throughout the day to better understand personal rhythms.
Balance is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey of self-discovery, prioritisation, and grace. By focusing on personal values, setting boundaries, and embracing life’s ebbs and flows, individuals can create a life that feels fulfilling and sustainable. As Brooke reminded everyone, we each have the wisdom to know what’s best for ourselves—it’s simply a matter of showing up and making intentional choices that support our well-being.
To connect with Brooke you can reach her via her website
or connect with her on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-sheehan-599a1938/
If you would like to join our next community event you can sign up HERE
If you would like to become a community speaker, contact our team at communitycare@backtoworkconnect.ie
