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:
-
Having a sense that there is enough time in the day to
effectively accomplish work-related tasks
-
The ability to get through our daily work and family
responsibilities without feeling drained
-
Having the ability to participate in activities we enjoy
on a regular basis
At the heart of successful work-life balance is:
-
Accomplishment: getting the stuff we need to get done
and
-
Enjoyment: having the time for loved ones, fun, rest,
exercise and hobbies.
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
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