Comments on: Four Burners and Balance: The Follow-Up

By: Ja Wood

Ja Wood — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:55:28 +0000

The earliest meaning of work was to describe any kind of action involving effort or exertion, “it was hard work rowing, for the wind was against him”. This negative connotation has seemed to stick to work throughout the centuries. By the late 18th century work was used as a verb to mean negatively influencing or persuading someone’s will. By the early 19th century work described a criminal act or activity, and by the mid 20th century works described a drug addict’s equipment for taking drugs. In Old English work also had the meaning of fornication- a meaning that dissipated before the Middle English period.

Work is a word that has a bad press. If you are doing something you have a passion for this is not thought of as work, bu it is. IF you are doing something because someone you love can not and it is need to sustain there life this is work but does not feel so. When I was their for my sons when they were growing up I thought of this as my work and I loved it and still do.

By: Nathan Hangen

Nathan Hangen — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:59:42 +0000

I’d say that’s true Georgeanne, except that as with anything, there’s no reason to break a rule unless it gets in the way. You have to pick your non-conformity based on what works, not on how many rules you can break.

By: Denise Michaels

Denise Michaels — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:24:47 +0000

I’m 52 and have finally decided I’ve got to get out of a business that at one time was a passion – but I’m getting to a point where I’m so over it. But what I want to do – monetize my writing – takes awhile to get to the point where cash flow is coming in. But I’ve taken ideas and monetized them in the past – so I have confidence I can do it with my writing and create the life I want – an excellent adventure.

By: Ben H.

Ben H. — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:00:58 +0000

I really like how you facilitate such a great, open discussion. You are filled with ideas and advice, but you don’t condescend.

By: Anastasiya

Anastasiya — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:16:39 +0000

I had the best time going through all comments on the 4 burners post last week because I am so interested in balance. In fact I believe in balance as a main driving force of most successful people (Notice, that I am saying “most,” not “all” because there are always those geniuses who do not care about worldly things and they live in a different world and for different reasons. Thankfully, most people are not that way otherwise the world would have been a very selfish and lonely place.)
Chris, I want to thank you for writing both of these articles. Our life is all about making certain choices in life and these choices determine our success, our happiness and and our general satisfaction with life.
To me balance means an equation with a few variables. Those variables can change from day to day, but they still have to be present all the time.

By: Shaun R Smith

Shaun R Smith — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:50:01 +0000

Great article. Definitely got me thinking and discussing with friends. I agree with what some of the other writers said about lowering certain burners to a simmer at time. When you start a business or have a child, the other burners inevitably get lowered.

However, I don’t see evidence around me that abandoning burners is required or even effective. I know people who have abandoned friends and family and health for business or careers and are failures at that also. And some of the most successful business people I know have great health and fulfilling personal lives also.

Thanks for triggering the discussion.

By: Georgeanne

Georgeanne — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:15:40 +0000

Isn’t part of non-conformity creating your own vision on how to create balance? The four burners theory applies when trying to take on life in a conventional way. When paving your own way balance shouldn’t have to mean turning one, two or three burners off. Rather, prioritize on a day to day basis.

By: Starr Cline

Starr Cline — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:54:23 +0000

I think when you’re doing the right thing for a “living”, it’s not a job. The way I make balance is by living with a mate who has similar drives and goals. We both produce creative work as some or all of our “living” and so we (usually) easily support each other through times of high demand or low demand. If time or money were no object, I don’t think either of us would change what we’re doing.
What really matters? At the end of the day, I believe that’s the memories we share with others, authentic human relationships. Of course, when I sell a painting, I make a real memory with someone. I send a piece of me to go live with someone else to hopefully give them joy. When I teach a class, I bond on some level with the students.
I don’t have kids and I don’t socialize much, but I don’t miss it because I get the “real stuff” as a part of my regular life. My occupations and home life just give me all I need. The trick is to know oneself and thereby put oneself in a position of balance.

By: Aurooba

Aurooba — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:02:52 +0000

By far one of my favourite articles!

By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:29:08 +0000

The question is indeed about how best to use our time. For me it is having a worthwhile life and not cutting off one part (one burner) of my life.