Whether we’re in the middle of a job search or conquering everyday life, we all need a little motivation at times. So, welcome to this motivational moment entitled, “Balance.”
Remember when you were a kid and you loved to play on the seesaw at the playground? It was fun for you and a friend to sit on seats at opposite ends of a long pole and to use your body weight to make each other rise up opposite each other. With legs dangling downward you both giggled and eagerly waited for your turn to rise high in the air again. This fun activity created a welcomed and exhilarating imbalance.
Now, fast forward to adulthood. And like me, you might currently or often find yourself on the see-saw of work and life. An imbalance has occurred as the blur between the two continues to grow. Work consumes more and more of our time and attention. Especially when working remotely, we often fail to disconnect at a reasonable time and work ten-to-sixteen-hour days…leaving our family, friends, health, spirituality, and other personal interests lacking.
This practice of “existing” instead of living is not healthy. Yet, some of us continue to struggle with how to reverse this imbalance. When you retire, or are about to die, you will not wish that you had worked more; however, you will likely wish that you had spent more quality time with the people and doing the things that should matter equally as much as, or more than, work. So, today, I have a strategy that you and I can use to begin to create work-life balance once again. Are you ready?
As we begin, please don’t misunderstand me. Be a best employee that you can be; however, also be the best non-work person that you can be. Such balance will make you a more fulfilled, pleasant, well-rounded, productive, and effective person. With this in mind, I encourage you to gradually take back control of your life.
•So, prioritize your spirituality and physical activity by spending fifteen minutes on each as soon as you roll out of bed each morning.
•If you can’t take a week off, take a day off mid-week, or take a Friday or a Monday off to create a long weekend. You will return to work refreshed.
•Don’t let other people’s schedules drive yours. Propose meeting times that won’t wreck your flow.
•Minimize interruptions by scheduling 15-to-30-minute meetings, as much as you can, with those vying for your time. And ask them for a quick email summary of what their concern is so you may be able to do some legwork in advance and possibly shave some time off your meeting.
•Designate a certain day of the week, or a 3 to 4 hour block of time, each week as “Do not disturb” time and use it to catchup on emails, do research for complex projects, and respond to your voice messages.
•Complete routine duties a day or two before they are due to avoid a last-minute rush.
•Schedule your lunch time on your calendar as unavailable time.
•Take a short walk after eating lunch.
•Take five minutes during the day to call your spouse, child, parent, or a friend to ask how their day is going.
•Set an alarm thirty minutes early to remind you when to start wrapping up the work day.
•Have dinner or exercise with your family at least one day per week.
Then, every couple of weeks, increase the time in each of these areas by 5 – 10 minutes, until you’ve achieved a healthy balance.
Now, you’re well on your way, or we’re well on our way, to work-life balance. I’ll bet you feel better already? I know I do. Stay the course and guard this new-found healthy existence as if your life depends on it…because the quality, and possibly the longevity of your life, truly does.
Wherever you’re viewing, do me a favor. Share, subscribe, like, comment, or let me know what work-life balance technique do you plan to implement. I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for joining me for this motivational moment entitled, “Balance,” with Cynthia O. Be blessed.
