Work-Life Balance- Balancing Life and Business

What have you been doing to maintain proper work-life balance?

It has occurred to me when working with clients. Many of us have the tendency to think of life balance in terms of daily or weekly perfection. If we don’t do all of the habits or tasks within a given time period, we are “out of balance.”

There tends to be guilt while at work and away from family, and guilt while with family and not working. Or maybe even the self-criticisms of not exercising enough, or eating too much, or whatever.

How do I Achieve Work-Life Balance?

I have two thoughts on this:

1)  Let yourself off the hook a little more. Most of us cause ourselves more emotional anguish. And beating ourselves up for what we haven’t done rather than just accepting that we didn’t do it.  Chill.

Check out the work of University of Texas researcher Kristin Neff (author of Self-Compassion) to learn how to be kinder to yourself.

2)  Think of life balance more as the way science defines equilibrium.  Equilibrium is the point through which a system passes-not a perfect balancing act on a daily basis.  Maybe you miss a couple of workouts because a friend had a family member pass away.  Maybe you don’t see your friends much for a couple weeks because you are starting a new project you are excited about.

Panning out and broadening the length of time you evaluate your “life balance” may find yourself feeling good about the equilibrium you have, and giving yourself a little compassion isn’t going to drive your business or career off a cliff.

If you don’t like where you are, you let go of the past, and chart a new course.

p.s. – If you need clarity for what’s next, book some time with me at no charge, and we’ll see if we can’t shine a light on what’s in the way.