This weekend I had a girls’ weekend with two of my best friends. In the last six years, we have each gone our own way; they have left New York for smaller cities, one is staying home full time to raise her kids, two of us are working moms.
Our two days together had a wonderful arc. Reunion and catch up, fiery debate (some might have said we were fighting!), and ultimately individual affirmation about what each of us has chosen. While we are working through the challenging and rewarding career and family years, all three of us were fighting hard for the perspective we are in. I walked away feeling that we (people) build a successful life by committing to the two or three core values that really bring us alive.
I am not suggesting that we be narrow and systematically rule out alternate perspectives. On the contrary, be open and see what others have to offer. But, having the self-awareness to know your two or three “must haves” makes it possible to always regain sustainable balance.