Many of us are workaholics and need to find the right balance of work and personal obligations. We need to allocate our time in a way that honors our commitments to our employers, to others and to ourselves.
Just a few small changes may be enough to make you feel more in control of your life, more relaxed and more fulfilled. For the good of your physical, mental and emotional health, assess all your needs and prioritize what’s important to you. The benefits of achieving balance in your life will be worth it.
Below are the 6 key steps you can take to create more balance and grounding in your life:
1- Allocate your time properly
Delegate whenever you can and practice saying “No” when a proposed work project or social event will not advance your career or fit in with your core values. Prioritize your work assignments and leisure activities.
Multitasking accomplishes many trivial duties at once, but be aware that it can also be counterproductive. There are times when you need to clearly identify the completion of a particular task, and times when you must give your undivided attention to a conversation with a friend, colleague or your partner. Perfect your time-management skills and your life will become more balanced.
2- Make time for yourself
Create opportunities for relaxation and pleasure and take a break when you need one. Making time to watch TV is important if it’s something you enjoy. Plan a vacation when you feel you need to refresh yourself. Just the act of researching and thinking about it will recharge your batteries and offset the stressors of your life.
3- Be creative
Find a hobby. Working doesn’t count. Try your hand at painting, writing or photography. You may be surprised at how relaxing it can be.
4- Develop your support system
Have a “go-to” guy, a best buddy you can talk to who will not judge or criticize. Find a mentor to help you with career development strategies and guide you on office politics. Talk and listen to your lady and your children. Understand your long-term goals and create a plan to reach them. Celebrate your successes and you may find your life is more balanced than you thought.
5- Listen to your body
If you feel ill or tired, do something about it. You’re not doing anyone any good by turning up at work or football practice with a hacking cough. If you feel exhausted or are suffering from insomnia, remember that stress can manifest in physical symptoms and you may need some time off.
6- Eat well and Exercise
If you find that you’ve developed a habit of drinking or eating too much, commit to cutting back a little. It’s not always necessary to make major lifestyle changes; even minor adjustments can improve your health and well-being.
Go to the gym or get involved in a sport. Spend time outdoors — it’s a good balance to life in the city. Take a walk in a city park, take a drive in the country or plan a relaxing weekend getaway in the mountains or at the beach. Turn the cellular phone off and enjoy the serenity. Breathe deeply and, for a few minutes, let go of all your worries. Exercising and reenergizing by doing something completely different will help you feel better.
Email Manali at [email protected] to schedule a first free 30 minutes session to help you create balance in your lifestyle.
Manali is a Certified Lifestyle Coach with over 20 years of work experience and has helped many people establish the mind and body connection and balance in their lives.