[[:encoded, "Life is in continual motion. There seems to be a blur between life and work and that is especially true for an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs, it seems, have a harder time separating work and life and home; they feel they need to be always available and always in “client search mode” as well as running the business. \n\nAre there secrets to attaining a work life balance? They aren’t exactly secrets, but sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget to breath and we allow our work and lifelines to coincide. Now is the time to take a step back and untangle those lines and get back to a better balance. \n\nIt is important to find a balance that makes both life and work fulfilling and enjoyable. If you don’t, you risk burnout in both areas of your life. Keep in mind that you won’t likely notice a large sign that lets you know your life and work are out of balance. The imbalance usually happens slowly and subtly, until you get to the point where you’re not functioning well in either aspect of your life. \n\nLet’s explore five ways I’ve learned that will help you attain a more balanced work and life. \n\n1.\tYou need to have boundaries. Even if you work from a home office you need to set office hours – this is for your clients and your family. Clients need to appreciate that you’re not on call 24-hours a day. Family needs to understand that between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm you’re working and shouldn’t be disturbed. These boundaries need to apply to your technology as well. Even if you’ve closed the literal door on your office, if you have your smart phone continually within reach, you will be distracted and tempted to check social media and emails and your work may again bleed into your home and family life. \n\n2.\tJust let it go. Being a perfectionist and trying to be everything to everyone is a recipe for disaster and burn out. If you’re feeling stressed in your personal life, you need to delve deeper into what those stressors are. The same goes for your work life; what is adding to your stress? Once you know what your stressors are, you can take steps to find those items you can simply let go of. Are there items that simply do not matter in the big picture? If so, cut them loose. The more items you can let go of (and that may mean delegating work or home tasks to others) the more balanced your life will be. \n\n3.\tWhat are your priorities? Just as important as knowing what your priorities are is knowing why they are important. Before you leave your office, or go to bed at night, take a few moments to plan your following day. Look back at what you’ve accomplished today and assess its impact on your work and your life. How did you spend your time? Did you spend it wisely? Were there parts of your day that lifted you up and made you smile and parts that had you shaking your head and wondering what went wrong? When you prioritize, then analyze how your priorities were met, you can better see if your day was productive and effective or if you squandered time on tasks that didn’t forward your dream of a work life balance. \n\n4.\tYou need down time. Schedule time for yourself. If you’re not practicing personal care you cannot be the best version of yourself for your family or your clients. Grab time in your calendar just for you – whether you go to a spa, meditate during lunch, walk the dog, or go for coffee with a friend – you need that time in which you have no demands on your energies. \n\n5.\t“No” is powerful and is your friend! Learn to say “no” to work and life events that you simply don’t want to do, don’t have time to do, or that won’t forward your life or career goals. You don’t have to be mean about the “no.” You can say, “Thank you, but no. I just don’t have the time or bandwidth for this right now.” \n\nEveryone has demands on life and work that compete with and overlap one another. The way in which you deal with them will go a long way in helping you achieve that work life balance you seek. If you are
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I’m the author of many books, including, Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule, Live Life with No Regrets, No Excuses, The Guide to Stopping Procrastination, The Power of Visualization, My Gratitude Journal, the Work Life Balance Emergency Kit, and The Roadmap To Success with Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard, and more.
Aim for what you want each and every day!
Anne Bachrach
The Accountability Coach™
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