5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance

Bo Sanchez - Spiritual preacher and Motivational speaker.



""5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance" by Sherry Rauh of WebMD

1. Figure out what really matters to you in Life. getting your priorities clear is the first and most essential step toward achieving a well-balanced life. The most important here is to figure out what you want your priorities to be, not what you think they should be.

2. Drop Unneccesary Activities. by making a concrete list of what really matters to you, you may discover you're devoting too much time to activities that aren't a priority, and you can adjust your schedule accordingly.

3. Protect Your Private Time. You would probably think twice before skipping out on work, a parent-teacher conference, or a doctor's appointment. Your private time deserves the same respect. "Carve out hours that contribute to yourself and your relationship" says Stevan Hobfoll, PhD, distinguished professor of psychology at Kent State University.

If work consistently interferes with your personal time, Hobfoll recommends discussing some adjustments with your boss. "There's a mythology in the workplace that more hours means more". Demonstrate that you can deliver the same or better results in fewer hours. Your job performance "should never be judged in terms of hours or input". Protecting your private time often leads to "greater satisfaction in both work life and personal life, greater productivity, and more creativity."

4. Accept Help to Balance Your Life. Allow yourself to rely on your partner, family members, or friends - anyone who can watch the kids or run an errand while you focus on other top priorities.

5. Plan Fun and Relaxation. Fun and relaxation are an essential part of living a well-balanced life. That's why Brown makes time for weekly guitar lessons, a yoga class, a date night with his wife, and a guy's night our a couple times a month. In addition, he exercises on a trampoline in his backyard most days of the week. How does he squeeze in all this playtime while running his business and sharing the responsibilities of raising a dauhter? "If you believe that the most important thing is to be happy in life (not when I'm a millionaire or when I retire but right now) then you can always make time."

Until you get into the habit of taking time for yourself, set aside space in your planner for relaxation and fun. Plan what you're going to do and make an necessary arrangements, such as childcare, to ensure you'll be able to keep your commitment. "Remember, you make time for what you want to make time for," Fortgang says. If something is important to you, don't brush it aside with a dismissive "I don't have time for that." You are in charge of your own schedule -- it's up to you to make time.