|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today an increasing number of us are experiencing burnout, low productivity, insomnia, and stress related illnesses?undoubtedly due to a lack of balance between our work and personal lives. It's time to look at how we can create greater balance in our work and personal lives. What looks like balance to one person may differ for another because individuals have different goals, values and definitions of success. However, there are some common definitions of balance that include:
At the heart of successful work-life balance is:
Although the concepts of achieving balance are simple, actually creating a balanced life isn't easy, but it is definitely worthwhile.
Here are some steps to help you on your journey toward life balance. It's a process so be patient with yourself.
1) Begin your balance journey by figuring out what your values and priorities are. Yeah I know?feels like everything is a priority. Yet too often, our time and energy are spent on things that we don't really care about. Once you're clear about your values and priorities you can begin saying "no" to those things that move you further away from your values and priorities and "yes" to those things that are in alignment with your values. You can begin to structure your life in a way that supports the personal and professional goals you want to accomplish. Determining the goals you want to accomplish and the quality of life you want to live, will help guide you toward figuring out what balance looks life for you.
2) Identify your balance "blockers". Balance blockers are those things that we either think or do that stands in the way of achieving balance. It's basically a perspective we hold about why we can't pursue balance-related goals. Some examples of blockers are:
Once you identify your blockers pay attention to when you use them as excuses to justify why you can't achieve balance in your life. Explore ways to accomplish your balance goals in spite of your particular balance blockers.
3) Balance your mind. The key to balance is all in your head. Begin to think differently! So many attorneys feel guilty about focusing on work-life balance or they believe taking time out for themselves...away from work is an unproductive use of time. I'll tell you what I tell my clients GET OVER IT! Most times, we treat our cars better than we treat ourselves. What's the first thing we do when we notice our car is low on gas? We fill our tanks! Well, living a more balanced life is about filling your tank. Those initially cynical lawyers who reluctantly committed to living a more balanced lifestyle now report that they are more relaxed, have more time for themselves and haven't sacrificed their jobs or their level of professionalism in the process!
4) Create "non-negotiable" time blocks in your schedule at least 2 times per week. Non-negotiable time is personal time that you set aside for yourself that you absolutely cannot and will not reschedule, cancel or postpone?it's simply non-negotiable. Devote at least 30 minutes to these time blocks. Write the non-negotiable appointment in your palm or day planner as you would for any other appointment. You can use the time for anything NON work related. This time is set aside so you can focus on you. Go workout, get a massage, take yourself to the park?or do nothing! Just pick something that you'll enjoy. It may feel strange at first but commit to do this for at least 6 weeks?and guess what? You'll get the hang of it.
5) Consider hiring a Professional Coach. When you're trying to achieve a more balanced life and everyone around you is being rewarded for working round the clock, it's tough to stay focused. The truth is making change that will affect you personally and professionally can be challenging?even when the change will be positive. This is primarily because familiar patterns are hard to break. The bottom line is that we all need someone to talk to. Not a significant other, colleague or friend, but someone whose only job is to help you plan your career, manage your life and set goals to keep you on track. That is the job of a Professional Coach.
6) Create a Vision. Having a vision of what you want to accomplish is a powerful tool to help you achieve any goal. Write down your vision of a more balanced and fulfilling life style. In creating your vision consider: If your life was more balanced than it is today?what would you have time to do? What would you no longer do? How would your career improve? What impact would a more balanced life have on your relationships and your quality of life?
About The Author
Jatrine Bentsi-Enchill, J.D., CPCC is the CEO and founder of InSIte Corporate Coaching and training a full service coaching, consulting and training company. InSite offers personal and executive coaching, and training to organizations committed to creating a harmonious, productive and inclusive work environments.
Visit InSite's website at www.InSiteCoach.com.
Contact Info:
Jatrine Bentsi-Enchill, J.D., CPCC
InSite Corporate Coaching & Training
704 814 6784
Jatrine@InSiteCoach.com
Wind Chimes and more... As the last day of school arrives I feel the... Read More Obviously, there are many wonderful things about having a personal... Read More I wrote you about four years ago, when my eight... Read More For a self help book to work, we have to... Read More IntroductionThese days in corporate sector, everybody is talking about the... Read More What does this word really mean anyway? According to Webster's... Read More Knowing more about who you are will give you the... Read More Have you ever noticed how the way you feel about... Read More Are you using the Life Potential you have been given?... Read More I have one magical thought, lets see it more closely.... Read More Having worked with individuals, couples, families and business partners for... Read More Sometimes it is helpful to review several of the basic... Read More In our daily lives as well as in our businesses,... Read More The promises of THE AMERICAN DREAM (to have it all... Read More "Nothing is more practical than for people to deepen themselves.... Read More But first you've got to raise your standards.I know at... Read More It takes less effort to keep an existing customer than... Read More I'm writing this on my laptop in a Cosi café... Read More Do you ever find that when a friend asks for... Read More I have a few questions for you ---What if we... Read More Are you one of the millions of people who make... Read More Coaching is a hot trend at a growing number of... Read More So you want to hire a coach but with so... Read More Feeling disappointed? It's time to float.The time-honored approach to disappointment... Read More Emotional intimacy is one of the most wonderful experiences we... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
3 Tips for a Great Summer - Developing Life & Business While Having a Blast
The Top 10 BEST Things About Having a Coach
The Long Way
Why a Self Help Book May Not Help You
HR Professional in New Avtaar: HR as a Coach and Mentor
D.I.S.C.I.P.L.I.N.E.
Your Past and Present Hold Key to Your Future
A Small Piece Of Carpet
Attitude is Contagious - Would Anybody Want Yours?
Among the Purpose & Personality
The Difference Between Approval and Appreciation
Your Personal Treasure Chest
The Value of Coaching to Support Your Business and Your Life
The American Dream ? Are We Really Free?
Business Career, Executive Coaching Article - Leadership: Understanding the Human Condition
You Can Get There From Here
Nourishing Your Network
Creating Supportive Environments
How to Solve Disputes with the Helicopter Talk Technique
Personal Strategic Planning
Ten Ways to Make New Years Resolutions That You Can Actually Keep!
Get Coached!
How to Choose the Right Coach for You
Floating In Mindfulness: Dealing With Disappointment
Fear of Intimacy
When a conversation is not working out there is the... Read More
It started out like any other Wednesday - reports to... Read More
A career coach or mentor is a person who can... Read More
IntroductionEvery one of us came to the planet to figure... Read More
I have often heard motivational speakers say that the word... Read More
This story is being offered in response to a request... Read More
As the last day of school arrives I feel the... Read More
"Stop and smell the roses," people often say. Then they... Read More
With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium,... Read More
MOVING THROUGH CHANGECreating any major change in our lives can... Read More
Watching the news can be hazardous to your health.It's a... Read More
I must confess, I laughed when I saw that Maria... Read More
Jim, a 42-year old engineer was teaching his eight-year-old son... Read More
Work addiction is very common in our society today, yet... Read More
When was the last time you did some dedicated physical... Read More
"I can't wait!" she exclaimed over the phone. The anticipation... Read More
Life is a process of beginnings and endings. In both... Read More
A recent study at the University of Florida found that... Read More
Every human feels anxiety on occasion; it is a part... Read More
I saw a couple for marriage counseling this week, and... Read More
That one guy at work that always has to be... Read More
The other day I was having a interesting conversation with... Read More
Recently my friend Michelle was concerned about a professional conference... Read More
If you are anything like me, you may have noticed... Read More
One hour here, two hours there, even fifteen minutes, it... Read More
Coaching |