Achieving Life Balance
Most
of us have things in our lives we want to do, as well as those things we have
to do. Perhaps you want to go to the gym more often, or you want to read more
books this year. Like most of us, do you find yourself wishing you had more
time to pursue the things you want to do as well as the things you need to do?
Whilst
time management is important to achieving these goals, some other steps must
precede it. As you define these steps, preferably using a journal to keep track
of what you discover about yourself, they will help you achieve that work and
life balance that will enable you to do those things you want to do and achieve
at this point in your life.
1. List Your Goals
All of us have goals
that change regularly and that reflect other things going on in our life at the
time. List your goals and prioritize them from important to least important.
Include not only the goals you have to achieve, but also the personal goals you want to achieve.
2. List Your Daily Schedule
Although we want more
time in the day, all of us have 24 hours. We use some of these hours for sleep
and some of these for work and recreation purposes. List down your daily
schedule and include the things you must do because they are a commitment. This
may include work commitments or school sport commitments with the children.
3. Prioritize Your Personal Goals with Equal Priority as Work Related
Goals
Don’t minimize the time
available to do the things you want to do, particularly if they are
contributing to your life goals or wellbeing. Include family time and other
essential life activities that require your time and attention.
Keep to the Schedule
unless in an Emergency
Most
people who create a daily schedule, keep to it for a while, but not long enough
for it to become a habit. Habits take around 3 weeks to form, so if you want
your new approach to work and lifestyle to be maintained, you must protect it
at all costs. If you want to achieve your own personal goals, you must protect
them at all costs. Eventually, the changes you implement will become second
nature, but until then, you need to stay in control of your time management.
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