“Success is a Journey, Not a Destination” *Arthur Ashe Re-post, Habits for Creating More Life & Care
This is a re-post from the "Success is a Journey, Not a Destination" post, and it includes a few updates and insights. In this blog, I will share a few of the tips from a life skills workshop presentation I gave on work/life balance. I have added some additional information on habits that lead to better overall balance.
Habits, the behavior patterns that we regularly follow, can hinder or help our work/life balance, not surprising, right? In addition to the tips on creating life balance, I also want to add some habits that contribute to healthy balance. Which one(s) will you commit to implementing?!
Work/Life Balance
Understand what balance means to your life situations. Balance is important to avoid burnout and overwhelm. According to the Mayo Clinic, (2018)“When your work life and personal life are out of balance, your stress level is likely to soar”—that said, “balance” can mean something different for each of us, but we all need it.
Here is an example: One person may be unproductive and could use more tasks and activities whereas another may need to reduce their load, as is the example with two of my clients. Client A, after delving deep, realized the need to remove a couple of tasks and give more energy to the others—Client B realized the need to do MORE in order to be balanced. Both situations worked out well and with two different outcomes. When I work with clients one on one, I help them figure out what “balanced” really means for their lives.
Evaluate—Assess progress in balancing work and life. What is working? What’s not? Why? I have learned and observed over my years as an educator and as a life coach that this is often one of the most overlooked steps but is so critical to avoid doing the same thing and expecting something different.
Realistic - time frame–can you complete this effectively in the given time? What are the chances you will actually complete this goal? Is it a need? You may not WANT to complete or give up a task but perhaps it is needed for the betterment of your well-being
Be self-aware of HOW you spend your time-Time management! Sounds simple, right? Actively record and document how you fill your day and the amount of time you spend on various activities instead of just making a mental note of what you are doing.
Habits to Assist - As you are evaluating, setting realistic time frames, becoming more self-aware, and defining what balance means to your life situation, below are some additional considerations to ensure your habits promote success, as defined by you.
Environment - this can play a major role in why certain tasks are not being completed. Consider that report you are working on or those papers you have to grade or that studying that needs to happen. If one has the habit of working on these items in the bed, and all that occurs is great sleep and maybe a few minutes of actual work, that is the time to ask, "is this location conducive to completing the task? Another example: I will not conduct a phone session with a client while they are driving-not the best habit to adopt for a focused coaching session:)
Accountability- having an accountability partner can be helpful when implementing new habits. This should be someone who actually WILL hold you accountable to the task you set out to achieve.
Start Small- this may help reduce the overwhelming feelings of wanting our habits to change overnight. Example, someone who wants to get more out of their morning routines and have more time to read, work, or exercise, might begin by waking up a few minutes earlier--within a time that will actually be met.
These are some general tips, and I hope you have found them helpful!
"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude." Colin Powell