You need to ensure that your work life balance is a healthy one. 

 

Moderation is key in creating a life that you love and each area of your life receives benefits from ensuring that you aren’t over doing it with the work load compared to your free time.

 

In today’s modern world of work and family, things are dramatically different to how they were say 50 years ago. People are striving to survive and to obtain the ultimate dream of say a big house, holidays, a good education for the kids,

recognition at work, a promotion, more money in the bank etc.

 

At what cost does this have to our personal life? At what cost does striving to give our kids the ‘best’ education have on them aswe spend less time with them? As most couples in a relationship both have to work, it’s difficult to get the balance right and to understand what is essential and what is not, what to prioritise and what to let go of or remove from our lives.

 

We also have to understand that we aren’t super human. You can only do what you can only do and each lesson that you encounter is apart of your journey so remember not be too hard on yourself and lay off the unrealistic expectations.

 

Steps to Creating a Work Life Balance

 

1. Cut or Delegate activities that are not worthy of your time. Be Ruthless.

 

2. Work from home; if this is possible it gives you greater home time and less travel time. If you can’t work from home

ensure that you negotiate or create suitable working hours that are in line with your other responsibilities.

 

3. Learn to Say No; There is a point when you can be doing to much for others and a little self nurturing is needed. You are always your own Number 1 priority.

 

4. Leave Work at Work; this can be difficult especially if you are working from home, but immediately detaching your mind and shifting your attention to rest or play is vital.

 

5. Manage Your Time; Can you do little bits of domestic duties each day instead of leaving it all for your day off? Can you cook in bulk or have your shopping delivered?

 

6. Be Rid of the Guilt; working and having a family is ok for both men and women. Just make sure you are allowing time for both and lay off the self guilt trips. Kids can smell them from a mile away and they are great at manipulating those feelings. Quality is better than quantity.

 

7. Time Out is Key; Having time simply just for you to do sport or whatever it is you enjoy is necessary to freeing your mind.

Protecting your day off and doing what you wish to do with that day is also necessary. Don’t say yes to anything unless

you are truly up for it. Sometimes doing nothing is ok too.

 

8. Get Enough Sleep; Only you know how much you need. There is nothing more stressful than working when you are sleep deprived! It can also cost you dearly in mistakes. Switch off the TV and get to bed if you know you need your beauty sleep.

 

9. Establish Your Support System; trusted friends and family members and having quality time with these people is key to keeping you happy. There is nothing like a chat with your best mate when you have had a rough day or a nice night out to release the pressure. Look after your relationships as they look after you.

 

10. Get Help; Everyone needs a little help from time to time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need and you feel like you are going under. Professional or personal. You are not superman/woman.

 

They key to creating balance is prioritising and using your time effectively. It also means learning to let go of what is out of your control or what is not important. Again the people I call ‘leaches’ need to be removed from your life. If someone is sucking the life out of you, show them the door (with compassion of course). If a particular situation (even if it is your business) is consistently draining or consuming your thoughts and time. Evaluate it, remove it or delegate it.

 

Need an outsiders point of view on how to create a better balance? Ask Heidi...

 

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