Work/Life Balance – How Is Yours?
“Balance is not better management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices.” Betsy Johnson
Work/Life Balance doesn’t get easier as we age. It changes from life to work and back to life, as we determine our priorities on a daily basis.
Making those choices is the challenge, and recognizing our priorities is the first step.
Using your Journal, make a list of all the people and projects in your daily life.
Spouse/Partner | Business | Groups |
Children | Jobs | Hobbies |
Siblings | Church | Friends |
Your list should be around 20-25 words. Now think about each group. Give each item a rating of 1-10, 1 being most important and 10 the least.
Re-write your list of #1’s and include a 1-3 word definition of your relationship. Reread your list of 1’s a couple of times over the next few days. Every time you read it you might want to add or subtract items from your first group. These are the people and projects you will invest your time and energy in for at least the next 6 months to a year.
Now is the time to write about your work/life balance by answering these questions:
- What does balance look like for you?
- What are your priorities today?
- What boundaries do you need to set in order to support yourself today?
- Do you ever feel like the wave of responsibility, work, social life, and emotions come crashing down on you all at once?
- Does the line between your work and play ever feel blurry?
- Can you define what your work is and is not?
- What is your big dream you have for your work/life?
Your answers may surprise you. You may have thought you knew what you wanted your life to look like in three to five years, but the more you think and write about your life the better your chance to develop a plan that will bring you happiness and focus.
Start by focusing on the next three years. During those years, revisit these questions and write your answers in your journal every quarter.
- What has happened during the past three months to make you feel happy and pleased with my progress?
- Where am I in my plan?
- How am I today?
- Are my goals the same?
- If there is one important change you could make in the next 3 months, what would it be?
The important part of this exercise is being honest in writing about your feelings and where you are in your dream business. Knowing where you want to go and how you get there – KNOW YOUR OUTCOME!
What does it look like?
How does it feel?
Not sure? Read about Lifestyle vs Legacy businesses here. It will help you visualize your Outcome.
Until next time - - -