10 Ways to Achieve Work/Life Balance
By Stephanie Chandler
Is your busy schedule
running you ragged? Studies show that we are running at
a faster pace than in generations past. Between work,
family and the daily demands of life, there is little
time left in a day to decompress. Unfortunately, when
you don’t take time out to relax, you can be headed for
trouble. Emotional and physical problems are often the
result of over-stressed, over-tired adults on the go.
If you’re running on
empty, it’s time to make some changes. Following are
ways that you can find more time in the day and
ultimately take better care of yourself.
1. Identify commitments
you made that you dread including memberships,
time-wasting meetings, etc. Learn to say no and
eliminate them.
2. Start and end each
day with a To Do list and then prioritize each task.
Odds are that you won’t accomplish every task on the
list so tackle the most important items and then forget
about the rest when the day is over.
3. Make a list of goals.
This will help you focus on what is important. Goals
should include short-term and long-term plans for your
business, personal life and family.
4. Set a schedule for
daily and weekly activities and put them on your
calendar. For example, dedicate one hour per week to
updating your blog or decide that you will make sales
calls between 9am to 10am each morning. When you start
blocking out your time for tasks, not only will you use
your time more wisely, but you will start meeting goals
and will put an end the multi-tasking cycle.
5. Get organized.
Countless hours can be wasted due to missing paperwork
and lost time can equate to lost income. Schedule time
to take care of the clutter and either hire a
professional organizer or dedicate yourself to getting
systems in place and finding a home for everything in
your work and home space.
6. Check e-mail no more
than two to three times per day (morning, afternoon and
end of the day). Organize messages with folders and try
to touch each message only once.
7. Take frequent breaks
throughout the day. Sitting at a desk all day is a
recipe for disaster resulting in back and neck problems,
headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. Get up, walk
around, stretch, breathe, have a glass of water and take
a few minutes to clear your head.
8. Keep your energy up
with small meals throughout the day. It’s easy to skip
meals when you’re in the heat of the workday, but this
can actually impair productivity. Instead of reaching
for a caffeine fix, grab a granola bar, piece of fruit
or a cup of yogurt. Keep snacks on hand to make it easy
to keep your personal engine fueled throughout the day.
9. Leave early at least
one day each week. Treat yourself to some time alone or
spend some quality time with your family.
10. Quit doing it all
yourself. Outsourcing is a great way to reclaim your
time. Think you can’t afford it? Consider what you earn
hourly. If you can hire someone to take care of tasks
for less, then it’s probably a worthwhile investment.
Hire a virtual assistant to help with paperwork, have
your laundry picked up, get a landscaper or house
cleaner and have your groceries delivered.
Even implementing just a
few of these suggestions can make a dramatic improvement
in your well-being. And if any of these suggestions
leave you feeling guilty, shake it off. Work will always
be there, but if you don’t take care of yourself, you
won’t be of any use at work or at home. Take care of
number one and the rest will fall into place.
About the Author:
Stephanie
Chandler is a small business expert and the author of
FROM ENTREPRENEUR TO INFOPRENEUR: MAKE MONEY WITH BOOKS,
E-BOOKS AND INFORMATION PRODUCTS. She is the founder of
www.BusinessInfoGuide.com,
a directory of resources for entrepreneurs and
www.ProPublishingServices.com, a custom writing
business specializing in electronic newsletters,
information marketing, and sales copy for websites and
brochures.
*This article can be reprinted
provided the author bio is included.
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE ~ STRESS ~ TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF ~ GET
ORGANIZED
