Myth of Balance

Myth of Balance

From Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching by Scott Smith

April 21, 2026 · 12 min · Season 20 · Episode 5437

About this episode

Scott Smith discusses the elusive nature of balance in life and how chasing it may hinder your best work.

Two days into my wife being out of town, I already ate all four of her homemade waffles for breakfast. So much for moderation. That got me thinking about balance — the thing we all say we want but can never actually hold onto. Balance isn't a state. It's a moment. It shows up for a second, and then it's gone, like trying to stand on a balance ball at the gym. Today, I'll make the case that chasing balance might be stealing your best work. There's a better way to live, and it involves letting go. Featured Story When I was a kid, I was on a playground in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, right by the Susquehanna River. My brother was bigger than I was, and we were on a seesaw trying to figure out how to balance it perfectly. Scoot forward a little. Scoot back. Tiny adjustments. For one beautiful moment, we nailed it. Both our legs were flying. Pure balance. Then he jumped off. And I crashed straight to the ground. I think about that seesaw every time someone tells me they want their life balanced. Because there are eight billion people out there who are more than happy to jump off and drop you. Important Points Balance isn't a static state you can lock in — it's dynamic and fleeting, and…

People in this episode

Host: Scott Smith

Topics covered

  • balance
  • self-improvement
  • motivation
  • work-life balance
  • dynamic living

Keywords

  • balance
  • moderation
  • self-improvement
  • dynamic
  • work
  • life
  • teeter-totter

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, Susquehanna River

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