The Glass Balls of Life
“Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls—family, health, friends, integrity—are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.” — Gary Keller
It’s January.
The calendar restarts. Emails multiply. The pace picks up. Meetings flood in. Targets rise. The race begins anew. You chase impact, influence, and results, determined to prove yourself again. Once again, work tries to convince you it deserves to sit in the front seat of your life.
But while work expands, something else contracts: Time. Presence. Connection. Health. Joy. You’re not careless. You’re committed. But even the best-intentioned leaders can drift, and sometimes, we don’t notice until something precious cracks.
My wake-up moment
Years ago, I was a newly appointed executive, deep in the grip of imposter syndrome. Determined to prove I belonged. To show I was worthy of my seat at the table. So I worked late. I travelled often. I chased numbers. I ignored the signs.
One evening, I arrived home... late again. My wife was sitting silently by the fishpond. The light had faded, and the sky was turning blue-grey as the first stars appeared. No smile. Just stillness. I knew something was wrong. I walked towards her and saw tears streaming down her face.
My heart sank I asked gently, “What’s wrong, babe?”
Her voice broke the night. Her words hit me like a freight train: “Put me in the front seat of the car of life. Put work in the back with the kids.”
Ouch.
In a single sentence, she shattered my illusion of balance. I’d let the wrong ball bounce. And I was damaging the glass ball that couldn’t afford to be dropped. I’d let what bounces replace what breaks.
Rebuilding Rhythm
From that night, I made a change. Every Tuesday morning after school drop-off, we booked a standing date at our favourite coffee shop. Nothing flashy. No phones. No laptops. Just us.
We didn’t just ask “How was your day?”
We asked, “How are you really feeling?”
This tiny ritual became our anchor. That weekly rhythm saved more than time — it safeguardedconnection.
It was a small action with a massive impact. And it’s still going ... 32 years later.
It wasn’t expensive.
It was priceless.
The Friday Reflection
As you step back into the swirl of strategy, deliverables, and deadlines…
Pause. Breathe. Reflect.
What are the top five “balls” you’re juggling this year?
Which ones are glass: fragile, priceless and irreplaceable?
Which ones are rubber: resilient, recoverable and overinflated?
And more importantly, are you scheduling time to protect the glass?
“Success is not about how high you climb, but how well you hold what matters while you rise.”
Final Reflection
Who (or what) has quietly slid into the back seat of your life?
What’s one intentional ritual you can start next week to honour the glass balls?
If someone you love gave you their version of “put me in the front seat,” would you be ready to hear it?
This year, your greatest success won’t be what you achieve — it’ll be what you protect.
Don’t let what bounces replace what breaks.
Lead boldly. Love wisely. Live your legacy.
Gary Good
Founder — LeaderLegacy