Having a healthy life balance is crucial to our happiness and well-being. Yet, it’s impossible to allocate our time evenly between all the important areas of our lives, especially when we are pursuing BIG career goals.
So, how do we create more balance?!?
It starts with how we view “life balance.” If you look at life balance as to how you allocate your time, it’s going to be pretty freaking hard to achieve it. But if you look at “life balance” as to how fulfilled you are in the important areas of your life, it’s totally possible!
So, how can you achieve BIG, stretchy career goals AND have a kickass personal life? Here are some tips to help you:
Create Goals that Create Life Balance
Write down your goals for your personal and professional life with a plan for how you’re going to achieve them. Create goals for your career, relationships, health and wellbeing, personal growth, finances, and whatever else is important to you.
Don’t freak out…you don’t have to incorporate big stretchy goals with a ginormous plan for every area of your life.
For some, it can be as simple as writing down the actions you’re committed to taking, so you don’t lose sight or focus on that area of your life. For example, your romantic relationship goal could be as simple as planning a monthly date night and an annual weekend getaway with your partner. A financial goal could be committing to balancing your checkbook every month or putting a certain amount into savings each month.
The intention is to keep you present to your “whole” life while you’re going after your BIG career goals. You know…to create life balance!
Evaluate Your To-do List
Most of us have obligations on our calendar and to-do list that’s not in alignment with our vision and goals. Take time to think about what you can say ‘no’ that isn’t important, fun, or that you don’t enjoy.
It’s okay to delegate the things that take a lot of your time or energy, or the stuff you don’t enjoy doing… in fact, it’s smart!
A few years ago, I had a client that was spending a ton of time doing admin work that she was resistant to paying someone else to do. It wasn’t until I pointed out how much money she was losing by not using that time seeing clients that she realized the importance of delegating.
Where’s your time and energy best spent? Honestly evaluate what skills you want to learn and which makes more sense to have someone else do for you. There are tons of experts out there to help you in the areas you aren’t skilled at or don’t enjoy doing.
Be intentional with your time
It can be easy to get distracted when you don’t have a plan in place, which is why I’m a big fan of planning your day the night before. It’ll allow you to wake up with a game plan for your day, which will also prevent reactive decision-making.
Review your calendar for what you have scheduled for the day, and then decide what other actions you’ll commit to accomplishing. But be realistic. If you have a full day of appointments, don’t commit to a bunch of other time-consuming tasks.
Celebrate your Achievements
When was the last time you took the time to acknowledge, let alone celebrate your accomplishments? So many of us overlook the things we accomplish because we’re so focused on the future and the next goal. Taking the time to acknowledge your achievements from small successes like you got up early and went to the gym, to big achievements like enrolling a new client, will help build your confidence and happiness, and will add fuel to your motivation!
Do yourself a favor and take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments and successes…even the little ones deserve to be celebrated.
Gratitude
While you go after those BIG, stretchy goals and strive for creating “more” in your life, take time to be grateful for what you already have. Having a regular practice where you acknowledge and celebrate the good you have in your life will help to increase your happiness.
Health and wellbeing
Our health and wellbeing affects the quality of our lives and the quality of our work. You cannot show up as your best self if you’re not taking care of yourself so, please make your wellbeing your number one priority. Like the flight attendants say on an airplane: “put your oxygen mask on first”!
We are much happier, more productive, and a heck of a lot more fun to be around when we take care of ourselves.
Unplug from Work
I know it can be easier said than done but practice disconnecting from work so you can focus on your personal needs. Commit to a time when you will stop working each night and take time off on the weekends to enjoy your life.
Take this time to focus on self-care…read a book, connect with your significant other, chat with a friend, hang with your kiddos, or whatever will support you in recharging.
Relationships
We are happier and more fulfilled when we have love and connection in our lives. So, make time for the important relationships in your life. I’m talking quality time and connection, not just sitting in front of the TV. Take the time to really connect with your family and friends. Plan a date with your significant other, go for a walk with a friend, play a game with your kiddos.
Positive Community
“You need to associate with people that inspire you, people that challenge you to rise higher, people that make you better. Don’t waste your valuable time with people that are not adding to your growth. Your destiny is too important.” Joel Osteen
Surround yourself with positive, supportive, happy people whenever you can and limit the time you spend with energy suckers. You know who I’m talking about – the complainers, people with negative attitudes…anyone who depletes your energy. You may not be able to avoid them all the time, but do what you can to reduce the time you spend with them or “tune them out” as much as possible.
Fun and laughter
I’m intentional about incorporating fun and laughter into everything I do. What can you do to make each area of your life more fun and enjoyable?
Build friendships with the people you regularly see at the gym. Have a monthly happy hour with your co-workers. Listen to fun music while you work. Find ways to incorporate fun and laughter into everything you do!
We are more than just our careers, so when you focus all your energy on your career goals, you rob yourself of happiness. Plus, when we aren’t fulfilled in our personal life, it takes more energy to achieve our career goals.
AND you deserve to enjoy your life WHILE creating a kickass career. After all, why are you working so hard, anyway? Isn’t it so you can enjoy living?!?
