In fact, there have been times when I wondered if I had much of a "life" at all.
You know what I mean. As a woman you play multiple roles. You're a daughter, grand daughter, sister, niece, girlfriend, wife, business woman, gal pal, volunteer?.and sometimes community leader, politician, or in the ministry. And you're exhausted! You want to do it all and do it all well. You don't want to let anyone down, and yet you're losing it. Okay, so maybe you don't need to be checked into to a hospital, but your energy and enthusiasm is slipping, your health is waning, and you wonder if you can keep it all together.
The solution to the problem I've often heard is to have "work-life balance." I understand the intent, but striving for balance hasn't worked for me. The idea of balance is that I evenly divide up my time and energy for every area of my life, like a see-saw with a whole bunch of sides to it with equal weights. But, my life isn't divided up evenly, nor do I think it should be. Right now for example, to grow my business takes a better chunk of my time than, let's say, making dinner, working out, or taking care of pets.
I say forget "balance". Strive for sanity instead! Sanity is feeling at the end of everyday feeling internally satisfied that you used your time and energy on what's most important to you. Here are seven secrets to getting there.
Secret #1 is Know What You Want
Be clear about who and what's important to you. Then make choices to support your decision. If you don't know what I want, there will always be someone who will try to determine it for you.
Secret #2 is Say "No" Without Apology
When you're saying "no" to what you don't want you're saying "yes" to what you do want. Saying no doesn't mean you're being mean or hurting someone else. It means you're taking care of yourself and, often, those you most care about. That's something we should never apologize for!
Secret #3 is Focus on What's Going Right
Focusing your attention on those things that are working and helping you feel good about yourself gives you the necessary self-esteem and staying power for dealing with difficult situations and creating sanity.
Secret #4 is Stay Away From Whiners
Life is too short and requires too much of us to be spending lots of time with people or in situations that don't cheer us on to the best we can be and go for our dreams.
Secret #5 is Get Someone Else to Do It
You really don't have to do it all! Get someone to do the things in your life that really can be done by someone else.
Secret #6 is Take Care of You and You and You
Take care of all of you ? the physical you, the emotional you, the mental you, the social you, and the spiritual you. Taking care of yourself gives you staying power. You're not only worth it; you are the only you you've got.
Secret #7 is Be Serious About Not Being So Serious
Don't miss the fun along the way. Be playful! Laugh as much as possible and find the humor that's begging to be discovered. The demands of your fast, full life temporarily melt away.
It's a question we ask ourselves from time to time. Do I really love what I'm doing? Do I even like my chosen path? The keyword here is choice. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a business leader, the business path you're on is largely due to the choices you've made. You're thinking, that may be true, but now I feel stuck.
Where To Start
Begin by asking: What are my strengths? What do I really like to do?
This sounds good on paper, but how is that really going to alter my reality? These two questions are simply the seeds of an approach that will help you examine and change your situation in real time each and every day.
How To Increase Your Choices
You are going to explore your peak experiences. These are moments when we're at our best. I know it sounds mushy, but remember you are trying to change your work trajectory so it may mean navigating unfamiliar ground.
According to renowned psychologist, Abraham Maslow, peak experiences make us feel as if we have a sense of purpose. This new awareness can help you maximize your opportunities and choices because over time you'll become clearer on what you do or don't want.
How To Recognize Peak Experiences
1. What you're doing feels effortless and enjoyable.
2. No stress
3. Time passes quickly.
4. You are fully absorbed in what you're doing.
5. You have great clarity with what you're involved in.
Start identifying these experiences. As you become more aware of them, the more clear the route to building your business life around them will become. Keep in mind, at first these types of experiences may not seem as if they could be directly related to business.
Peak moments can be as simple as appreciating a beautiful sunset, which could relate to a career or business involving spending time outdoors. Another approach would be recognizing when time spent with certain people leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Pay attention to their personalities, and what you happen to learn from them. This may have implications for your new business path.
Four Ways To Get Started Doing What You Love
1. Practice becoming aware of your peak experiences.
You may already love the business you're in, although maybe you don't connect with the people on your team. You have the control to change companies or if you're the owner, you may need to examine your team and how they align with your goals. Have a trusted advisor coach your progress and results. Be accountable for making changes.
2. Start to jot your peak moments down.
Keep track and keep them visible. Over time, things will start to click for you. Entrepreneurs may want to incorporate changes into their business plan. If you're at the helm of a start up, then you can begin ahead of the game.
3. Integrate them into your business life.
Create a plan to build your peak experiences into your work. Look at where you're passions and expertise overlap. This is a good place to start.
4. Consider writing out your work-life vision.
You don't have a documented business plan that aligns with your life? Don't worry you're not alone. Start with a half page and then add on to create a plan that will get you there. However, you must apply your plan.
My Suggestion: Post these tips on your fridge, desk, or on your car dash as a reminder until it becomes a habit.
The Big Message here is to get on your way to creating a business path that you love, or at the very least, enjoy.
Both Matt Bacak & Diana Keith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Matt Bacak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Web Development and Advertising Guide. During a successful, demanding, rising through the ranks 10 year career with America Online Mary learned that the only way to thrive in today's world is to be bold, positive, and courageous ? bodacious! Today Mary inspires women everywhere to be bodaciou. Matt Bacak's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.
Diana Keith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Womens Health, Team Building. Diana Keith, owner of M-Level Systems Consulting, works with entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to Make Their Vision a Reality. Get Diana's Free Strategy Guide For Success at her website,. Diana Keith's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.