The Balancing Act
While the the Bible Book of Proverbs 31 passage seems to give a day-in-the-life snapshot of an integrated life, the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that some seasons are more heavily weighted towards one activity or another. In real life there will always be some periods where one of our roles (worker, parent, caretaker) dominates our energy and time. Balance is something we bring to our lives not in each individual moment, but over the long-haul. We do it by recognizing where we have been giving our energy recently, and then by compensating –giving our energy in the next season to the other important parts of our lives.
Maintaining a well-balanced life isn’t just crucial for your health, happiness, and well-being but also essential for boosting productivity, managing stress, and unleashing your true potential. But how can you achieve balance?
Here are five easy ways:
Take a break: Take some time off to unwind. Relax and recharge. It could be a couple of hours a day or during the weekends. Switch off your laptops and smartphones and engage. Read a book, meditate, go for a jog or talk to a loved one. Yes, I know, you want to see who pinged you five minutes ago or check how many people double tapped on your latest Instagram post. But all of these things can wait. Do not trade your sleep for work. Overworking or overthinking about work-related issues at home doesn’t just elevate stress, it also kills productivity and can damage your relationships. Once you’re done for the day, take your mind off work.
Embrace a healthy lifestyle: Your health is bound to affect every other aspect of your life. It’s important to invest in your physical and mental wellbeing. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and work out regularly.
Avoid negativity: Adopting a positive mindset and staying away from negative influences is essential for inner peace and happiness. Stay away from toxic people as much as possible. Practice gratitude, avoid self-criticism and do at least one thing every day that makes you happy.
Learn to prioritize: Creating balance isn’t about cramming in as many things as you can in your everyday life. It is about examining what is important (and what isn’t) and evaluating how much time and energy you should invest in things that matter to you. Is it really necessary to answer work email while you’re at a family dinner party? Is buying that expensive fragrance more important than saving money for a down payment on your dream home? Assess your priorities regularly to stay focused, effectively manage your time, and prevent burnout.
Pamper yourself: Occasionally spending some time to treat yourself can do wonders for your mood, mental health, and self-esteem. Once in a while, set aside some time just for yourself. Schedule a spa visit, go shopping for fun, or eat at your favorite restaurant. And if you want to unwind without making a dent in your bank account, listen to some music, take a long bubble bath, or just sleep in. Start incorporating these changes into your routine today and see the difference!
Great Ways to Balance Family Life and Your Career
One of the biggest challenges in life is finding balance between family and work. To have it all takes some finesse. You need to learn how to prioritize, make the most of your time, and be present. Scheduling is not just for doctor appointments anymore. You may already schedule important work meetings. But, to bring balance to your life, you need to schedule most of it. No matter which type of calendar you use (i.e., dry erase poster, electronic calendar, and/or personal organizer), start scheduling everything. Schedule your sleep, your work hours, and your errands. Schedule time for your family members and for yourself. Schedule childcare, school, and extracurricular activities. Schedule breaks for yourself. If you plan it in writing, it will happen!
You are not the only one that has to do everything. Let go of the reins and let others help you. Build your support network. Start delegating some of your responsibilities to others at work and at home. Delegate leg-work duties to your employees. Delegate household duties to your family. Find reliable childcare. Create a carpool system to share the responsibility of carting the kids around with other working parents. Ask your nearby family members to chip in with the kids and errands. Keep reminding yourself that you alone should never bear all the responsibility at work or at home.
Be realistic…you cannot excel at absolutely everything at all times. Some things are only going to get 70-90% of your attention. Make a ‘to do’ list and determine your priorities. At 6:00 p.m., are your new clients or your kids going to get 100% of your attention? Do you really need to fold your underwear before putting it in the drawer? Who is important enough to wake you up at midnight? Keep reminding yourself that you are not everything to everyone. Give yourself permission to say “No”.
You must take care of yourself. Take time to relax and rejuvenate. Participate in daily meditation, deep breathing, and long baths…whatever allows you to stop and take a break. De-stressing is the name of the game. Feed your soul by spending some quiet time alone. At your desk, in the bathroom, or in your parked car. Don’t get distracted with social media or other time-suckers…this is not that kind of break. Try to detach from your thoughts and become aware of the world around you. All it takes is a few minutes of alone time to feel refreshed.
The people in the room with you are more important than those who email, text, and IM you. Get your head up, make eye contact, and give the people in your presence your attention. Your phone is one of the biggest distractors of your life. Yes, it is essential. But, not at all times. Just take a look around a crowded restaurant. Who is present and engaging the world around them? It is NOT those engrossed in their phone. In meetings or during family dinners, try a no-phone policy. The first step to connect with the people around you is to disconnect from your devices.
Ever go home and not remember the drive because you were too caught up in thoughts? You were not being mindful of the driving experience. You are where your mind is. If you are constantly thinking about work, then you might as well be at work. Whatever it is that you are doing, be present and aware. Mindful walking is a great way to practice this skill. Take a walk and pay attention to all that you are sensing. Each time other thoughts interrupt, acknowledge them and return your focus back to the walk. Mindfulness is at the root of life balance.
