"To achieve greatness, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time." Leonard Bernstein
Balancing Acts - Work, Life, Self... |
I like the quote by Leonard Bernstein above because it reminds me again that waiting for enough time to do anything meaningful is ... well, a waste of time. The busiest, most accomplished people manage their time by setting up a schedule, prioritizing and honoring their plan; they make time. To create/find balance in our lives, we must make a concerted effort to make time. This week, I have chosen prompt#2.) Finding the balance. How do you manage? from MamaKat's Writer's Workshop.
Something I've learned from experience is that when I create a realistic schedule for myself, I am less inclined to feel rushed or stressed than when I just take on projects and let events happen to me. Recently, I took on a challenging project that required constant review and responses. Soon I was consumed by the time demands and had to re-evaluate the schedule I had set up and tweak it again. I realized that not only did the project need re-evaluation; I needed to go back to my original intentions for the project.
Creating a work/life balance remains a constant concern for most people. Before we create a plan to make our lives less hectic and more balanced, it is important to ask ourselves three fundamental questions: Intention - What do I want to accomplish with my life now? Purpose - Why does it matter? and Plan - What must I do to achieve my plan? ✿♡✿Read the rest below, after the fantastic vacation offer & blog hops!
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Balance includes, following the link above left and registering to win one of several exotic luxury vacations. Sponsored by my friends at JustLuxe, sign up once and every month, you get entered to win. It's free and fun.
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✿♡✿Intention
Sometimes, we look at other people and their lifestyles, and wish we could have same, but the reality is that our lives are different, and each individual is here or called for different goals. If we stop to think back to our childhood days and the things that gave us much joy or, at least, some joy, we can begin to map out a plan that is both realistic and beneficial to our lives. We must look at our current circumstances and ask ourselves the question: What do I want to accomplish with my life now?
Another important thing to consider once we ask the question is to consider how we use our time; to take a look at our personal clock. When are we most alert? Are you a morning person or a nocturnal soul? When do you do your best work and can you create a schedule that fits your personal inner clock? Is this feasible in your work environment? How can you find ways to maximize your effectiveness during your alert time? All of these questions require we spend some time observing and evaluating what we do at certain times and when we are at our most productive.
✿♡✿Purpose
There is something to be said for the European midday nap-time because it gives everyone a chance to regroup and refresh the mind. When we make time to rest and regroup, we are able to look at our day and separate the important things from the minutiae. We get to ask again - Why does this event/project/assignment matter? Meditation; both seated and walking forms can give us another way to refresh our minds during the day. Prayer is another way we calm our mind and refocus our intentions. Exercise helps rejuvenate our bodies and our spirits and is recommended too.
✿♡✿Plan
When my kids were younger, we created a schedule for them that included nap-time, mealtime and outside activities. The schedule allowed pockets of time when I could have Me Time to focus on myself and the things I needed to do for work. It varied from day to day but always included prayer/meditation time so I could regroup and rest. Regardless of the goals we have, it is important to create a schedule or a daily plan of activities and then to include some time for reflection in our daily schedule of activities. Why? Our creative, intuitive side is enhanced when we give ourselves time to regroup and resolve or find solutions to issues.
Every day, I am reminded that the need for balance begins in our hearts and mind, flows through our actions and then flows back to the survival impulse within. I find that making the time to be quiet and reflect on what remains to be completed ahead of me, allows me to adjust my schedule if needed and then focus on the things that truly matter.
What do you do to create balance in your life Do leave me a comment and share a tip or two. Thank you!
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MEGA WEEK LONG BLOG POSTS BLOG HOP 2/20-2/27
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PHOTO CREDITS: Photograph of a Model Balancing Act via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive.
© Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Beautiful thoughts. My kids are getting a little older now, too, but we still have an afternoon quiet time where they can wind down for a little bit and I can sit down and breathe.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the words on not getting stressed about what other people have/do. When I occasionally start wondering why everyone else can have nice homes or nice clothes, I remind myself it's because my priorities are in different places. That's where they focus their resources. I focus mine on travel. Keeping my mind on what makes me happy instead of why things make other people happy.
Your blog is beautiful! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower from the weekend hop and I look forward to following your blog! I hope you have time to stop by!
Balance is an interesting topic, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower from the weekend hop--
ReplyDeleteMichele aka MikiHope
www.mikishope.com
Thank you all for your comments and GFC connections...
ReplyDeleteI will return the visits shortly as I always love meeting new blog friends and always follow back.
My wish for Blogger is that they add a reply line to each comment so our replies can be individualized... :-)
Amen!
Elizabeth
I think the most important thing said is "honoring your plan". Too often I set up a plan and then let life overwhelm me to the point where the plan no longer works. Great post.
ReplyDeleteOh, this was just what I needed to hear - I need some balance in life, some tweaking. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat timing on this post, E! I am in the process of re-evaluating my goals and this was very helpful!
ReplyDeleteI've always felt I should live somewhere that a midday nap is customary. I still enjoy one almost every day:)
ReplyDeletealmost my life, bar the exercise .. maybe one day .. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments... Have a great weekend ahead!
ReplyDeleteEliz
you really do need a balance of work/ fun in life!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower from the Weekend Mega Hop. I'd love it if you'd follow me back!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Mickey
www.ahelicoptermom.com
Such a beautiful thought! Your posts never fail to uplift me...I am having problems lately and dropping by your blog gives me hope and faith :)
ReplyDeleteThey say a picture is worth a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteStrap a baby to her arm, a toddler at her leg and a cell phone in her ear and that's most of the mom's I know right now!
Actually, I'm that mom too.
Time to change the juggling act!
Beautiful post!
This post was inspirational. We get so busy that it's hard to juggle everything, literally! We all need tips like time management stuff to help us get our lives balanced.
ReplyDelete