| Balancing Work, Home and Personal Time |
If you feel your work and life are out of balance you are not alone. Many people struggle with creating a balance between spending extra hours at work and taking time to enjoy their home life. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself “how do I get my work and home life back in balance?”
What would you have to say “NO” to in order to create a balance? Do you need to say “NO” at work? “NO” to a friend? When you are no longer consciously choosing how to spend your time you are being driven by fear. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid you will not be a good friend if you say “NO?” Are you afraid you will not be looked upon as a devoted employee if you say “NO?” Are you not saying “NO” to turning off the television so you can set aside time to exercise, read, meditate or whatever it is you desire to do but have been unable to find time for?
As a life coach I have worked with individuals who do not see anyway out of this perspective. They begin life coaching feeling as though they don’t have the power of choice. They experience a blindness to even considering that there might be a different way. They say things to themselves such as “That’s just the way it is.” Yet inside they yearn for a work life balance. They feel they are missing out on life.
Having a work life balance means something different to each person. Balance is a personal issue.
Where do you start?
Remember: you have the power to choose! Clearly identify your fears and see if there is another perspective you can take on the situation. Are you afraid you will get fired if you don’t work overtime every day? Why not speak to your manager and tell him you have to leave on time 2 days a week. Take a chance and see what happens. Can you organize your time better at work so you don’t work so much overtime? Do you hold back from delegating at work and end up overloading yourself? Make a list of actions you can take other than working overtime every day. Begin by making small changes.
If your personal life is out of balance envision what you want to be different. Do you want to begin dating again? Make a list of dating websites to visit and let your friends know you are interested in meeting someone. Do you want to spend more time with your children? Schedule time each evening and do something special with them.
Bottom line? You have to say “no” to something in order to say “yes” to something else. Slow down and think about what a right work life balance looks like to you. Now work backwards and take little steps to make it happen!
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