Glass Balls, Rubber Balls: Choosing Which to Drop
Hi friend, how have you been? It’s been a while since I last wrote to you. Writing my book turned out to be the easy part—publishing it independently? Now, that’s a whole different juggling act!
But I have some exciting news to share with you—today, I received the printed proof copies of The Waves We Ride, and I am beyond thrilled with how the book looks and feels. This is such a meaningful milestone for me, and I couldn’t wait to tell you about it.
Publishing this book as an independent author has been a labor of love. Every aspect of it bears my touch—from the book cover design to the editing process and distribution channels. Each professional I worked with, every tool I used, and every decision I made was chosen with care and intention. It’s been a lot of work, but holding the physical copy in my hands today is proof that hard work pays off.
More than that, holding the book brought back memories of the introspective writing journey—of the moment I decided to open up my life and share my story with you. It made me reflect: How did I manage to write a 152-page memoir about my life, all while raising three children and juggling so many responsibilities?
Then, I remembered a conversation I had with my lifelong mentor a few months ago. She said, “I’m not surprised we’re here discussing what’s next after your book launch. You’ve always had a unique way of juggling all the balls in your life. You know the difference between glass and rubber balls.”
And you know what? She was right. Let me explain.
The Glass Balls and Rubber Balls of Life
Life demands so much of us, but here’s the thing: not everything we juggle carries the same weight or importance. Recognizing the difference between glass balls and rubber balls can bring clarity and balance, even during chaotic times.
Glass balls represent the non-negotiable, vital aspects of our lives. If we drop them, they might crack—or shatter entirely. For me, these include my family, my health, the emotional care I invest in my relationships, my marriage, my roles as a sister and daughter, and the purpose I’ve been cultivating during my sabbatical (which I explore further in The Waves We Ride).
Rubber balls, on the other hand, are tasks and responsibilities we can afford to let go of because they’ll bounce back. These might be things that don’t need immediate attention or that someone in our support system can handle.
When we learn to differentiate between glass balls and rubber balls, we give ourselves permission to prioritize. And there’s something deeply liberating about letting a rubber ball drop when it means safeguarding a glass one. Not everything we juggle carries the same importance, and recognizing this is key to focusing on what truly matters.
For me, that’s how I managed to write this book. I refused to compromise quality time with my family, so I wrote early in the morning, starting at 4:30 a.m., before anyone else was awake. Sometimes, I wrote late at night after tucking my kids into bed. And on the days I felt too exhausted, I let myself rest—I let a few rubber balls drop, knowing I’d come back stronger.
Which brings me to an important point: the power of letting go.
The Power of Letting Go
Understanding the difference between glass and rubber balls—and being okay with dropping the rubber ones—is a cornerstone of self-kindness. Life doesn’t demand perfection, and neither should we.
When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to a framework I created called DEAR, which stands for Drop Everything And Restore. This is my way of giving myself permission to pause, recalibrate, and focus on what really matters in the moment.
For me, restoration looks like walking in nature, cuddling with my kids or my dog, or meditating. Sometimes, it means asking for help—because it’s okay to admit we can’t do it all alone.
The DEAR framework reminds me of two things:
- It's okay to step back and let go. It’s okay to trust that the things we release will bounce back if they’re truly important.
- When we stop chasing the illusion of perfection, we make space for the changes we’ve been putting off.
Because at the end of the day, our glass balls are what truly matter.
Lessons for Leadership and Beyond
This glass vs. rubber balls concept can be applied to leadership too. In my corporate journey, I worked with both managers and leaders. The leaders nurtured my strengths, coached me, and helped me build a clear professional identity, which allowed me to feel confident in dropping rubber balls. Managers, on the other hand, often treated everything as urgent, leading to stress and burnout.
As a leader, I always aimed to validate and support my team, helping them navigate their own glass and rubber balls. If you’re in a leadership role, think about how you can empower your team to prioritize effectively.
This concept isn’t just for adults, either. I talk to my children about their own glass and rubber balls. These conversations don’t always go smoothly—like when they insist a misplaced crayon is an “emergency”—but even in those moments, we explore what truly matters (and laugh about what doesn’t). These lessons help them build resilience and clarity as they navigate life’s complexities.
A Gentle Reminder
As women, we wear many hats and play many roles. With intention and clarity, we can juggle our priorities with grace, knowing when to hold tight and when to let go.
Lately, I’ve been letting go of a lot of rubber balls, and I’m okay with it because I know my glass balls are non-negotiable.
How about you? Are you able to reassess the things you’re juggling? What could you achieve if you allowed yourself to drop a few rubber balls?
Join me this upcoming Wednesday (11/27) for the launch of The Waves We Ride ebook! I’ll share more details soon, but for now, here’s a sneak peek of the cover—do you like it?
With love,
Ladyane