Finding Balance

On Friday I took a day off without pay. I was feeling overwhelmed with work and all the personal things I needed to get done. Days without pay are one way I manage my work life balance. It is my solution to not using up vacation days or calling in sick. It has a financial impact, but it is only one day every few months, so I don’t really notice it. Staying balanced in life requires consciousness and openness to our environment and effort to adopt as required.

How do we stay balanced?

Take Stock: Where are you spending your time? We need to take stock of our activities on a regular basis as our lives change and evolve. Where is your time going now versus where do you want it to go?

Keep Things in Perspective: Work has a natural rhythm to it; sometimes it is busy and chaotic and other times more routine. Be open and flexible to move with this rhythm, understanding that there may be peaks where you have to work harder but also valleys where work is less intense.

Prioritize: Our workplace moves quickly, with new elements that can shift priorities. Check in with your boss and/or clients to make sure you always know what is most important to do now. 

Get Help: We may hesitate to ask colleagues or our boss for help, but the situation will be worse if we miss important deadlines or under-deliver on something we promised. 

Say No: We say yes because we do not want to disappoint people, or perhaps we feel guilty or awkward. Saying no and setting boundaries are great ways to manage your time and manage other people’s expectations.

Take care of your body: Eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep are simple steps with profound results.

Know what recharges you: We need to be proactive about seeking out the things that rejuvenate us and give us energy. When I feel a little down, I put on some of my favourite music and dance around my living room (luckily no one can see me!).  Dancing always gives me a quick pick up.

What will you do this month to help you stay more balanced?