The Super Bowl of Life: Competing Against Yourself to Find Balance

Life often feels like the biggest game of your career—like you’re playing in the Super Bowl every single day. You’re the star player, the coach, & sometimes even the referee, trying to make the best calls while juggling work, family, & personal goals while attempting to throw a little self-care in there. But here’s the twist: your biggest competition isn’t the external world—it’s you.

     Just like in the Super Bowl, where 2 powerhouse teams battle for the title of King of the Hill, your days are often a face-off between Productive You & Overwhelmed You, between Grind-Mode You & Burnt-Out You, between Superwoman & Cat Woman (before she came up out of the dark side). The question is: How do you win against yourself while keeping your energy, focus, & well-being intact?

The Pre-Game: Setting Your Intentions

Before any Super Bowl, teams don’t just show up & hope for the best. The coaches have numerous meetings to figure out the best ways to beat their opponent. The players study film & go hard in practice. Everyone is focused on being mentally & physically prepared for the battle ahead. The whole organization puts in work, strategizing & visualizing success on that Sunday night for the final game of the season. 

     Then on the big day, there’s a whole production before the team hits the field. The DJ has a playlist of hype music to get the crowd & team revved up. The commentators & spectators are putting their predictions for the champion out there. Someone will sing, & hopefully not slaughter, the National Anthem. Cheerleaders are jumping & dancing, getting the crowd ready for the big game. Everything screams “ENERGY.”

     Similarly, balancing a busy life with self-care starts with intentionality. You can’t just wing it all the time, especially when your schedule is jam packed & your to-do list seems never-ending. It takes time & effort, much like the playbook sessions & film reviews. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way:

• Game Plan: Before your day begins, take a moment to set your intentions. What’s your priority today? Where does self-care fit in? How much time do you need & is there enough room to fit that activity in?

My game plan sessions happen every evening before bed. I set no more than 3 priorities for the next day, a few things as a Plan B if I get Plan A done with time & energy to spare, & map out the times I need to handle business. My standing appointments (about an hour each) are my morning & nighttime routines. The time is blocked, DND is scheduled to pop on, & I’m going to take that time to pour into ME.

• Review the Playbook: Your planner or journal (like the Intentional Journal or Intentional Planner) can help map out a realistic strategy so you’re not just reacting but proactively managing your time. I use both of mine daily so I can prioritize my life & have a healthy outlet to help me decompress. 

Game Time: Executing Your Plan 

Now that it’s time to hit the field, what are you going to do with all of that preparation? You can’t just plan & abandon it. You’ve got to do the work & prove that you’re capable of following through with everything you’ve trained for. This is how it can possibly go:

The First Half: Coming Out Strong

The first half of any game is about setting the tone. The players hit the field on 10, ready to win that ring. The coaching staff is convinced they’ve concocted the best recipe to end with the W. The vibe is VIBIN’!

     And just like in the big game, you have your formula ready. You start the day with energy, knocking out tasks, handling responsibilities, & feeling like a champion. You’re checking off the boxes as you run through your to-do list. But if you’re not careful, you’ll burn out by halftime.

     I might be a master at burning out. I’ve always been in grind mode & laser-focused on my goals. I jokingly say it’s in my DNA, but I lowkey think it is. Even when I’m supposed to be resting, I’m on the move mentally or physically. And that’s exactly why the burn out is real over here. I am learning some strategies though:

• Avoid the Blitz: Don’t overload your morning with back-to-back tasks without breaks. Pace yourself. Hold yourself accountable by adding an alert to remind you to pause, rest your brain, & stretch so you can get back to work feeling refreshed.

• Stick to the Fundamentals: Hydrate, nourish your body, & take intentional pauses to check in with yourself. Go back to the basics on what your mind, body, & soul need to survive. I’m talking things like grabbing a snack & some water, walking around a little, & shooting the breeze with your people. 

Halftime: The Self-Care Reset

In the Super Bowl, halftime isn’t just for entertainment—it’s a critical moment for teams to regroup, adjust, & recharge. Even though they go back into the locker room, the team takes this valuable 25 or so minutes to review the progress, revise their plan, & rest up to give it their all until the final second. Your day needs the same, so during your “halftime,” make sure you:

• Assess the Score: How are you feeling? Do you need to pivot your approach? Take the time to check in on your mental & physical state. Be real with yourself so you’ll know what your next move needs to be. 

• Make Adjustments: If stress is piling up, take a mindful break—journal for five minutes, take a deep breath, or step outside. It’s ok to not be ok. On top of all of that, you can’t do everything all the time. When you’re feeling drained, hit the pause button & return when you get your mojo back.

• Rehydrate & Refuel: Grab a nutritious snack or do something that brings you joy to regain energy for the second half. Running on E will just frustrate you more, continue to pile on stress, & will do more harm than good. Your body & brain need fuel to push through, so don’t short yourself.

The Second Half: Pushing Through Without Breaking Down

The second half is where mental toughness matters. Fatigue kicks in, distractions arise, & it’s easy to let self-care take the back seat. But this is also where discipline wins the game.

     I’ve learned to make my self-care a non-negotiable. Whether it’s 5 minutes or 5 days, I’m going to get it in…otherwise I might end up behind bars. I don’t just settle for my morning & nighttime routines; I hold myself accountable for other things that I do daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, & quarterly. Some are:

• Journaling every evening: Y’all already know my stance on journaling. My journals get worked over with all that flows through my brain & life.

• Reading something daily: This is one of my favorite pastimes, so between Kindle & Audible I can indulge in some good books at any time.

• A shower by candlelight weekly: There’s something soothing that happens when you take a shower in the dark. Maybe it’s the light flickering off the shower walls or the calming aromatherapy candles. IDK, but it works wonders for me.

• Getting my hair done biweekly: It’s the one thing I make sure I can maintain. Not only does it make my hair come back alive, but Kristie always makes it a whole vibe. I’m guaranteed to feel relaxed & feel like I did 1000 crunches because we laugh so much. 

• A chill day monthly: My chill days seem to come few & far between. I have a full plate probably 90% of the year, so when I get a day of nothing, it’s like a birthday gift. My chill day consists of no cooking & watching whatever on the couch all day.

• Quarterly trips: Traveling pours into me so much, but it can be expensive. Despite that, I still make sure I’m somewhere other than work & home for at least 3 days every 3-4 months MANDATORY. My team knows I’m not gonna be around sometime in March (Cruise Camp 2025 loading…) & in December for my anniversary. Somewhere in those other months, I find the funds & time to get away again. It’s good to be irresponsible & experience other cultures.

     Now those are my go-to’s, but everybody has their own coping skills. You have to do what works, & sometimes that takes time & lots of experimenting. But during your experimental phase, remember:

• Defense Wins Championships: Set boundaries. Say no to things that drain you. Protect your peace like a championship defense protecting the end zone. There’s nothing wrong with choosing what’s best for you, so don’t let anyone tell you any different.

• Keep Your Eye on the Goal: Remember, winning doesn’t mean doing everything—it means doing what matters well while keeping yourself intact. Set your goals, develop a plan, & get on the field, but don’t overextend yourself. #TeamNoBurnout

The Final Play: Finishing with Intention

The best athletes don’t just collapse at the finish line; they cool down, reflect, & prepare for the next game. The game doesn’t end until the clock winds all the way down, so give it your best shot…without maxing out. Celebrate your wins every time, no matter how big or small they are. And don’t sweat the fumbles & incomplete passes; nobody is 100% on all the time!

• Post-Game Review: I like to review my progress towards my goals at the end of every month. I set a big goal for the year & use each month for goals that lead up to the annual one. I use my journal to reflect so I can keep track of any possible patterns. Take note of what worked & what the opportunities were.

• Recovery Matters: Prioritize rest. Sleep is just as important as productivity—it’s your body’s way of preparing for the next big game. The battery in my back plays tug-of-war with my sleep schedule, but I’m learning that it’s just as important as eating. I can’t perform at my best without feeling fully charged. 

Don’t just stop at sleep though. Rest is anything that allows you to get back “right.” It can be using PTO to do nothing, taking a trip, getting a massage, & anything else you can think of. Use your options & tweak your plan for what works best for you.

Winning the Super Bowl of Life

At the end of the day, you’re not competing against the world—you’re competing against yesterday’s version of yourself. Winning means creating a life where success & self-care coexist, not one where you sacrifice your well-being for the sake of productivity.

     So as you step onto the field of life tomorrow, remember: you’re both the MVP & the coach. Play smart, pace yourself, & make self-care part of your winning strategy. Because the greatest victories aren’t just about achievements—they’re about finding balance & joy along the way.