Toward a More Balanced Life

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims of the horrible tragedy in Connecticut. May their fond memories and the caring thoughts of others assist in their healing.

Events like this give us pause to reflect on our own lives, and where we are placing our priorities. During this holiday season, take some time to think back over this past year. What was the ratio of time you spent working – and/or thinking about work – to the time you spent with your family? Or to the time you spent relaxing? Or playing? If the scale tips significantly toward work, it may be time to make some changes.

According to an article by the Mayo Clinic, spending too much time at work can have a negative impact on your health and relationships, and can begin a cycle of increased expectations where the longer hours become the norm.  Here are some tips from the article for getting your life back in balance:

Track your time.  Review your daily activities – both work-related and personal, and prioritize them.  Cut out or delegate activities you don’t enjoy or don’t really have time for.

Take advantage of your options. Does your employer offer flex hours, a shorter work week, job sharing, telecommuting or other scheduling options? Having more control over your hours will reduce stress.

Learn to say no. Whether it’s a coworker asking you to spearhead an extra project or your child’s teacher asking you to organize a class party, remember that it’s OK to respectfully say no. When you stop accepting tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you’ll have more time for the activities that are important to you.

Leave work at work. With our various devices that connect us to anyone at anytime from nearly anywhere it’s hard to define the boundary between work and home. Make a conscious decision to separate work from personal time. When you’re with family, keep your laptop in your briefcase.

Manage your time.  Organize tasks and errands efficiently. Put family events on a weekly family calendar and keep a daily to-do list. Do what needs to be done and let the rest go.

Bolster your support system. Join forces with coworkers who can cover for you – and vice versa – when family issues arise. At home, enlist trusted friends and loved ones to pitch in with child care or household responsibilities when you need to work overtime or travel.

Nurture yourself. Eat a healthy diet and include physical activity in your daily routine. Get enough sleep. Set time aside each day for an activity you enjoy, and factor time in your week to participate in activities with family and friends.

As you think about your goals and objectives for 2013, I encourage you to include goals around more than just what you want to achieve professionally. Make some goals that incorporate the suggestions above, and focus on having a happy, successful and BALANCED New Year!

Happy holidays!

Lead on,

Rebecca