Our guest post today comes from the very talented, Kathy Jenkins of Come to Order.
Creating and maintaining a work-life balance may seem like a lofty goal, but it is possible if you have a plan and are prepared when you have to make choices. In the first part of this series, we talked about creating a “Need/Want” Square. Once you’ve identified the activities that you don’t need to do and don’t want to do, you need to eliminate them from your life.
Easier said than done, right? With help from the following strategies, and a determination on your part to carry through, you can do it:
- Just Say “No”:
Volunteering is an admirable thing, but not when it takes up so much time that you’re forced to neglect work and family. I used to say yes to many volunteer opportunities, believing that they wouldn’t require a huge time commitment. Then one night when I was furiously working past midnight to fulfill my obligations, I realized how crazy it was. There may be a time in life when you’ll have more time to volunteer, but now, It may not be possible. That is OK!
- Leave work at work:
Do not to bring work home! Create boundaries and be firm in enforcing them, even if it means delegating work to part-time assistants. Don’t answer e-mails, texts or phone calls that are work-related when you have committed to be with your friends or family. The world will continue to turn if you choose to turn your phone off for a few hours to spend time with those you care about!
- Get organized at home:
Be organized at home so you don’t spend all of your free time grocery shopping, running errands, cleaning or doing laundry. It is true—you gain more time when you are organized! If you need help here, contact Come To Order. We have lots of great ideas and would be glad to help!
- Take care of yourself:
You can’t properly care for your family if you don’t first take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise and get the right amount of sleep. Take time to do activities you enjoy so you can feel fulfilled personally.
- Create a support system:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from co-workers, friends and family.
- Ask for outside help when you know you need it:
Whether it means hiring a cleaning person, a professional organizer or a therapist, don’t try to do it all alone, especially if you know you need help.
Creating a work-life balance is a lot like organizing—it’s not just a one-time event, but a continual process. You have to be flexible as your personal and professional life changes. You might have to revisit your boundaries and priorities and make adjustments when you find that the scale has begun to tip too much to one side. It is through this process that you will ultimately be able to achieve the best balance of work and life for you!
– – –
About the Author
As a Certified Professional Organizer and Certified Family Manager coach, Kathy Jenkins can help you run a more organized, efficient, and happy household and raise happy, healthy, responsible, and well-mannered children! Visithttp://www.cometoorderva.com to learn more about her professional organizing services and one-on-one family manager coaching sessions. You can also follow her tips, advice, and recommendations by liking Come To Order on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cometoorder
Leave a Reply