There is a disturbing lack of work-life balance in the world today.
We’re smack dab in the middle of COVID-19 and many of us are working from home. This has led to extreme burnout for countless individuals. People are neglecting self-care and the things in life that should be coming first.
I want more for you.
I want you to live a life that is abundant and full of a sense of inner well-being. This will only come when you cultivate a healthy work-life balance.
So, I am teaching you real strategies that you can apply today in order to make that happen. Here are the top 5 areas in which you have to focus to create work-life balance for yourself:
1. Prioritize your time and tasks
There are many different categories and areas in your life to prioritize. Always start with what and who you love. Consider above all else the people that should get your time and the things you love to do.
Then, focus on the key areas of life in which I always teach you to live life rich: emotionally, relationally, spiritually, physically, and financially. If you want to create balance, harmony, and deeper relationships with others and yourself, it starts here.
2. Limit your screen time
You need to do things that make your soul feel better in order to prevent burnout. For me, that thing is listening to Scripture. For you, it could a variety of other things such as listening to soft music or a podcast. Just turn off your social media, TV, and all other screens and devices.
3. Take breaks during the day
I schedule my schedule in 50-minute blocks of time. I get up out of my chair for the last 10 minutes in every hour. I spend those minutes walking around the house, going outside, petting my cat, or doing a variety of other activities that fill my cup. This gives you the chance to reflect on what you’ve gotten done in that hour and refresh for the next one. Find time blocks that work best for you and plan them at the beginning of each day.
4. Don’t overcommit yourself
To do this, we need to go back to the first strategy. Filter each request through whether it is a match for your priorities or not. If it isn’t, you need to say no.
Release yourself from the request by saying, “Thank you for the opportunity, but it’s not for me at this time and I don’t want to steal it from someone else.” If that doesn’t work for you, find another way to say no nicely. This is extremely important because, if you overcommit, you won’t show up as the best version of yourself.
5. Fight the guilt
Many people think they should be farther along or should’ve learned certain things by this time in their lives. However, whenever you start a sentence with, “I should have,” you are entering a self-judgment zone.
Part of finding work-life balance and taking your life back is recognizing the greatness within you. Every single day, recognize the great things you did that day.
Don’t live in shame because of the things you didn’t get done. Release yourself from feeling guilty by saying it wasn’t for you; it’s not a part of your highest and best use. Instead, know what you’re good at and what you’re here to show up and do with and for people every day.
These strategies may take some work on the frontend. However, they will pay back in dividends later as you begin to abolish those sleepless nights and take back your life.
If you want to learn more about how to balance your professional and personal life, check out Episode 045: Take Back Your Life Part 1: How To Create Work-Life Balance.
