Our temptation is to chase balance, but balance is an illusion.
Balance builds scales — tipping back and forth between extremes. It keeps us grappling for stability, while rhythm gives us footing. Balance teeters back and forth with emotion; rhythm walks with conviction. Rhythms build margin into our lives and leadership.
That’s why we must intentionally elevate habits into rhythms, especially in these four areas.
Spiritually
Balance says, “I can step outside of order for a moment and tip the scale back later.” Rhythm says, “I stay within God’s Word and His order — because outside of it, I step outside of His protection.”
Balance looks like only seeking God’s direction when we’ve hit a wall. Rhythm is establishing prayer-driven decision-making at the start of every day, so we move with clarity instead of confusion.
The strength of any leader flows from the order of their allegiance.
Physically
The better we lead ourselves physically, the stronger we stand spiritually.
Balance looks like trying to juggle long nights at work with long weekends off, swinging between overwork and total withdrawal while sacrificing our health. Rhythm looks like keeping a sustainable cadence — quarterly vision planning, early mornings for strategy work, daily margin to think and exercise, protected family dinner hours — that creates long-term consistency without constant recalibration.
Self-care isn’t selfish. Energy is a leader’s currency — if we spend it wisely, our families and teams reap the dividends.
Mentally
Leaders are learners. We must be willing to learn what we need to learn in order to do what we need to do.
Balance looks like weighing unwarranted options to keep fear at bay, often leading to slow decision-making. Rhythm is committing to learn continually, set clear decision points and move forward with conviction instead of paralysis.
We don’t have to know everything — we keep learning what we can and trust God to reveal what we don’t yet know. If we refuse to do this, we forfeit the right to lead.
Relationally
Rhythms show up in the company we keep. The people with whom we consistently walk either sharpen us or weaken us.
Balance looks like only investing in people when conflict or burnout forces our hand.
Rhythm is keeping a consistent cadence of one-on-ones, encouragement and accountability so relationships stay strong and culture is protected.
Follow the leadership of two people you aspire to be like, while also leading two people who can look to you for accountability.
When consistency in these areas becomes our cadence, these disciplines become our desires. That’s the gift of rhythm. It creates the margin to lead freely, fully and faithfully — and it becomes second nature.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by By Brodie Croyle, CEO of Big Oak Ranch.
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