Four Facets Of Work Life Balance
recently came through a have either been going 100 miles
week of very hard work, an hour, or stalled completely.
chaotic energy and long
hours. As I reviewed my goals and So how do we create balance in
progress for the week, I realized our lives? I believe there are
that I couldn't remember much of four key areas of our lives that
anything that happened during require (yes, require!) daily
that week. It was all a muddled attention. By the way, they are
blur in my mind, one day blending listed in order of importance.
into the next. I do believe that
hard work is good for us. God/Spirituality - taking time to
However, if we don't also include center yourself and commune with
periods of rest, quiet God (whatever your interpretation
contemplation and recreation, of God may be), is crucial.
what are we working so hard for? Prayer, meditation and quiet
We must also make time to enjoy contemplation are so important to
the fruits of our labor. our overall health. It doesn't
matter what religion you
They say "a woman's work is never practice, it matters only that
done", but this holds true for you make time to honor your
men also. Work in general is spiritual self and your
never done - which is a good connection to the Divine, every
thing really, because if there is single day. First thing in the
no more work to be done, there is morning is best for most people,
no more progress to be made. But since it can help you adopt a
constant work without play makes positive mindset for your day. Or
for a very dull existence. The you may prefer the late evening
key is balance. It is a difficult hour before bedtime, to help you
thing to achieve for many, myself de-stress from your day. You
included. For most of my life I don't have to spend hours on
this, 30 to 60 minutes is plenty. in our hurried society. Here are
some ways to help that. Make it a
Self - each of us needs time priority to have dinner together
every day to work on our physical every single night. No
and emotional wellness. This is distractions or television
time we can use for exercise, blaring in the background. Have a
journaling and self-exploration, "family day" or "family night"
and hobbies. Again, it doesn't where you spend one evening or
have to be massive amounts of perhaps one weekend day together
time, but at least some time for doing something fun as a family -
exercise and self-care is and this doesn't include camping
necessary. Women especially are out around the television. Go to
good at taking care of everyone the park and have a picnic, visit
else and neglecting themselves. flea markets or garage sales, or
Don't do that! You cannot fully during the winter you can build a
give to someone else when you are snowman or go sledding or ice
empty yourself. Make yourself a skating. Time spent together
priority, and make time to care having fun is the most important
properly for yourself, physically thing. This goes for you and your
and emotionally. Trust me, you spouse also. Have a weekly "date
will be a much happier person and night" where the two of you spend
be able to give that much more to time alone together, without the
those you love. kids, and without distraction.
Relationships require maintenance
Spouse/Family - This is actually to keep them strong. Make it
two categories, but they do tend romantic and rekindle the flame
to blend together. Time together that once brought you together.
as a family is so important, and :-)
it is something that is sadly
beginning to happen less and less Work/Business - are you surprised
I put this last? Most people means that at any given time, we
today put work first and forget are performing multiple tasks at
the rest, but doing so creates a the same time. One we are
sense of constant duty and performing with our hands, and
drudgery. Work is important, but the others in our mind. What a
it's not the most important thing way to feel exhausted and
in life. If you make the other overwhelmed.
three categories your first
priorities, your time spent Try focusing only on one task at
working will be much more a time, and I think you'll be
productive. You won't feel so surprised at how much more you
burned out and stressed out, and can get done, and with less
you will accomplish alot more fatigue at the end of the day. It
than you would otherwise. takes practice though. At first
you may need to consistently
One of the most important things bring your attention back to the
we can do to become more balanced task at hand. Your mind may want
in our lives is master the art of to keep wandering, as it is used
Mindfulness. It means being fully to doing. That's okay, simply
present in every moment, giving bring it gently back to what you
our full attention to every task. are doing right now, and continue
This can be difficult for many of on. With practice, you will be
us, because as we are performing able to master this and feel much
one task, our mind is already more centered and calm throughout
moving ahead to the next task, your days.
and the one after that. This
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Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer and web designer in New England. She is the owner of www.WorkatHomeBalance.com which features work/life balance tips for entrepreneurs, home business owners, telecommuters and freelancers. Visit today for more tips on balancing work and family under one roof.
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