Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciji Townsend.
Ciji, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Five years ago, I was burnt out, exhausted and doing entirely too much. When asked how I “did it all”, I sheepishly would reply, I don’t know, I guess I’m just balanced and not really busy. Well over time, I realized that I wasn’t really all that balanced, so I set out to figure out why, to find my balance and then work to maintain it!
Balanced Not Busy is a space to STOP the glorification of busyness and embrace BALANCE. This space is for go-getters that also want to REST. It’s for those that want to thrive and also have time to recharge. Finding your balance is the delicate dance of avoiding societal norms so that you can master time management, increase productivity and prioritize wellness. I partner with those that inspire me and at the Balanced Not Busy events we share how we define balance as well as live balanced. In intimate settings, I facilitate workshops to focus on identifying balance barriers, discussing how we can shift focus and prioritize finding balance. Outside of the events that I host and the interactive workshops, I am often asked to deliver speeches to large groups that understand and value the importance of living in a more balanced society!
The goal is to inspire, empower and encourage others to thrive.
At Balanced Not Busy, we believe there is a better way to live. We are obsessively passionate about helping people find their BALANCE, and maintain it. We focus on time management, increasing productivity and investing in a wellness regimen. Our workshops simplify the delicate dance of finding BALANCE and provide strategic direction for everyone to achieve their goals and invest in a better life.
Has it been a smooth road?
I often share in my presentations that living a Balanced Not Busy life is a marathon and not a sprint. The number one challenge is that you will start fast and run out of momentum early, which could result in not finishing the race.
The most important think to do in the Balanced Not Busy “race” is to pace yourself and be ok with running slower at times and then picking up your pace when you can. Also, every once in a while you will have to take a break. When running, water breaks are an essential part of the journey. So don’t feel bad when you need to stop, refuel and then jump back on to the course!
Lastly, celebrate each accomplishment. Don’t discredit the mile markers and only do the happy dance at the finish line. Finding and more importantly, maintaining your balance should be celebrated! Our society encourages busyness as a sign of productivity when in reality the glorification of busy is not just a dis-ease but also a disease. Each time that you see the sign along the way that indicates that you have run one of those 26.2 miles is you tackling the dis-ease of busyness!
We’d love to hear more about Balanced Not Busy.
I specialize in initiating the journey and providing tactical tools to support living a balanced life. One that is defined by stabilizing your mind or feelings so that you can thrive. My interactive and intimate workshops are for those in the workplace, lifestyle groups (i.e. book clubs, Bible studies, Mom meetups, etc.) and even groups of friends that want to have an intimate conversation to help find balance over a glass of wine!
I focus on time management, increasing productivity and prioritizing wellness. I also customize workshops to meet the needs of the audience and ensure that the time is well spent truly digging deep into the root of what is hindering you from living intentionally, purposeful and well balanced.
In addition to workshops, I am often booked for conferences, panel discussions, and keynote conversations.
I am most proud that I made the decision to live differently and rather than reach my mountaintop and move on, I’ve worked diligently to provide a space to bring others with me. The work that I am doing with Balanced Not Busy is less about me and more about the desire to inspire, encourage and empower others!
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Here’s a rundown of my current favorites that support living a Balanced Not Busy life:
* the Couple app (a lifesaver in managing our “marriage” calendar)
* Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less by Tiffany Dufu is a must read!
* I’ve recently become obsessed with listening to Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations while tackling emails.
* my Erin Condren life planner is my calendar “Bible” if it’s not in my planner, I’m not doing it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.balancednotbusy.com
- Email: ciji@balancednotbusy.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/balancednotbusy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/balancednotbusy.com
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/balancednotbusy
Image Credit:
Image File Name 49: https://www.merrilycreativecompany.com/
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