A while back, I asked readers to participate in this poll: Which Topics Interest You? The topic with the most votes was “Work-Life Balance”.
What does work-life balance really mean?
According to Wikipedia.org work-life balance is a concept including proper prioritizing between “work” (career and ambition) and “lifestyle” (health, pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development/meditation).
How do you balance work and life? Yes, it can be quite challenging. Here are some tips for you to create work-life balance in your life.
Tip #1 ~ Take time to care for your BODY, MIND and SPIRIT
Breathe, stretch, move, exercise, get a massage, get your nails done, meditate, pray, go outside and take a walk, listen to calm relaxing music, journal, read an inspirational or funny book. Your body will thank you and your spirit will feel renewed and refreshed. It is important to take care of your body, mind, and spirit to have balance in your life. When you are renewed and refresh you are more considerate to others. The recommended time to quickly recharge is 10 to 15 minutes per day.
- How are you going to take time to care for you?
- How often?
- Do you have a place to unwind?
- Is this place calm and relaxing to you?
- If so, how often will you take advantage of this space?
- If you don’t, “Why not?”
Tip #2 ~ Tuning Out Work to Strengthen Relationships
As a Leader, each day you push yourself to get more completed with less and are expected to do more. You are over-worked and your mind is in a continual loop thinking about work even when you are physically away from work. Is your spouse, family and friends feeling totally ignored? Don’t you think it may be time to plan some precious time with your spouse, family, and friends?
How committed are you in doing this?
When will you start?
How often will you schedule time for this?
Tip #3 ~ Learn to Say No and Stop Over-Scheduling Yourself
Over-scheduling is very stressful on you and your family. You have no time for you and no time for them. Constantly rushing from here to there while being late for everything, may give the appearance of bad time management, you don’t care, or worst you are unreliable.
Give yourself a time buffer of at least 30 to 45 minutes between appointments and meetings. This way if the appointment or meeting runs a little over you still have time to make the next appointment on time. If traveling allow for travel time as well.
How often do you say yes to something you really don’t want to do?
Is being over-scheduled stressing you out?
Is being over-scheduled and over-committed a way of life for you?
Do you really enjoy being in every association, committee and the chair of everything you are a member?
Do you feel you have to be in charge or say yes when asked? Are you really doing a good job for all of these positions you hold?
Did any of these questions resonant with you? If yes, maybe it is time to start saying no, stop over-scheduling and over-committing.
Slowing down and having work-life balance is very important to lower stress and lessen burn-out. Taking time for your spouse, children, family, friends, pets and focusing on them builds stronger and lasting relationships. Start incorporating these tips and watch how work-life balance will start to transform into your daily life.
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Quiz – Is Your Job Too Stressful?
To learn more about one to one coaching with Patti – email me at: patti@coachingforinspirationwithpatti.com
Great Advice Patti, like you added the importance of spending time with those you love
Hi,
Eileen
Time with those you love is true happiness. Thanks for sharing. 🙂