Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance to Create Work-Life Balance

Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance

Synopsis: Achieving a state-of-being where we can live a fulfilling life is a continuous effort. It requires us to overcome cognitive dissonance, understand the patterns of existence, and implement a strategy to change course ahead of schedule. By setting SMART goals, creating a calm and collaborative space with proper communication, and taking accountability for our choices, we can achieve success. The article emphasizes the importance of family relationships for work-life balance and the need to prioritize our mental and emotional well-being. Ultimately, the article encourages readers to take the time and effort to think everything through, visualize their goals, and take action to make their dreams a reality.

Cognitive dissonance is a term used to describe the uncomfortable feeling of having two conflicting ideas or beliefs in one’s mind. It is an enemy of the state-of-being, and we need to consciously overcome the instinct to flee or avoid but confront the truth, accept reality, and take action to achieve our goals. In order to achieve our goals, we need to understand the patterns of existence and implement a strategy to change course ahead of schedule.

Achieving space and time balance is one of the greatest challenges for many individuals because life does not come with clear and universal instructions. This is especially true when it comes to work-life balance. If a parent was unsuccessful in work-life balance, then chances are that low-quality strategies and unconscious behaviors are transferred throughout generations through encoding (DNA) and mirror neurons. Humans tend to absorb behaviors from persons, places, and things where they have the greatest exposure and invest the most time.

Perpetual daily maintenance, goals, and strategies are required to create a consistent and positive life structure. Setting expectations based on SMART goals (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) are essential for a safe, trusting, and healthy environment. A calm and collaborative space with proper communication allows for expansive thinking, understanding, awareness, and proper actions aligned with destiny and success.

Choices are processed within space and time based on available information and emotional influence, and the selection spawns a new path and consequences as a result of that action. The individual is ultimately accountable for their choices. Life is unpredictable and unforeseen, which takes millions of twists and turns, where any moment could be catastrophic or a blessing in disguise. People tend to believe they have a locus of control that spans larger than what really exists, similar to objects in the rearview mirror are closer than they appear.

The same amount of energy and choices that went into creating the existing situation is the same amount of energy that is required to pull through the situation. Equal sum, energy in and energy out. Matter does not disappear but changes form. Take the time and effort to think everything through, visualize the processes, the conversations, and the results. Experience them in your mind before they happen, identify the outcome, and change as needed until the outcome is what you want, and then take action to make it a reality. A house is built, stick by stick, and the end product is what is experienced. A house can also be remodeled.

Mate selection is a choice based on preference, proximity, and availability. Some are lucky enough to make the perfect selection; some took a difficult situation and worked hard to make it what they need; others quit on the process before it started or after some challenging situations; and some are just dealing with a toxic relationship. Family relationships are critical for work-life balance. If you are not in a happy state of mind in your private space and there is nothing but chaos or challenges, then sleep will become limited, mood will suffer, anxiety increases, work production decreases, external relationships suffer, and the relationships we have with our most cherished begin to fade. With a lack of sleep, it is difficult to make proper decisions, and patience is reduced where negative feelings are actualized through behavior without a filter, and the negative feedback loop enlarges.

In conclusion, achieving a state-of-being where we can live a fulfilling life is a continuous effort. It requires us to overcome cognitive dissonance, understand the patterns of existence, and implement a strategy to change course ahead of schedule. By setting SMART goals, creating a calm and collaborative space with proper communication, and taking accountability for our choices, we can achieve success. Remember, the same amount of energy that went into creating the existing situation is the same amount of energy that is required to pull through the situation.

KEITH LAWRENCE MILLER, MA, NCRW, PCC, BCC, CPRW

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Master of Arts (M.A.) Columbia University – Business/Organization Psychology
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