Are You Creating Balance in Your Life?

Sometimes in an effort to create a balance between our work lives and our home lives, we add more to the 'home' side of the equation. Often what that means is that we are now overworked in both arenas. That is generally not the goal of finding balance. If you find yourself in this situation, you probably also recognize that the level of stress in your life is also increasing.

Suggesting for helping to balance your work and home lives can be found from a number of resources, but let me make a few suggestions here. One thing to look at is the actual number of hours you spend in 'work related' activity. I have talked to people who calculate they have been spending over 50 hours a week at work. Unless you are actually counting lunch time and daily breaks in that calculation, you are probably at work longer than you thought. That doesn't include any time that you spend at home doing work-related activities, including checking emails, thinking about what's on your agenda for the next day, or what you didn't get done today, etc. That also doesn't include travel or settling in time at work.

You also want to look at what you stress over that is beyond your control. If you have no say in the matter or influence on the outcome, it is probably not productive to spend time thinking/worrying about it. That applies to work and home situations. I do recognize that may be easier said than done, but is well worth the effort to try.

Also, if you are constantly in 'fast forward' mode, it would be good to find ways to shift back. Not only should you include breaks in your activity, you should also plan in some non-productive times - when you don't plan to do anything and you don't do anything, except maybe listen to some soothing music, meditate, etc.

At home, also look at your schedule. If it is filled with running here or there, playing chauffeur for your kids many activities, or always working on some home project, consider what is really important and what really needs to be done by you. It may be that some of that flurry of activity is just "busy ness" and no longer important or meaningful. We will look further at the issue of balance in the next post.


Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change and/or job search, planning for retirement, loss of job, coping with an empty nest, preparing to return to work or school, and other life planning issues. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone helping to find solutions to problems related to life transitions. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information on her services.

To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.

Did You Return from Holiday Break Needing a Break?

I have heard several people say they were almost glad to get back to work following a 'crazy' or 'hectic' holiday break. It is very easy to get caught up in the frenzy of the season, and not take time for yourself.

If this describes your situation, I encourage you to spend a little time winding down now and plan to handle things differently next time. You probably need to carve 20 - 30 minutes out of your schedule to just sit and relax. This could be in your favorite chair or in a nice warm bath, etc. I know someone who sits in his car to get a few minutes of peace and quiet. By taking a few deep breaths, you should be able to slow your breathing and catch your breath.


Then spend a few minutes thinking about things that went well or moments you enjoyed or should have enjoyed at the time. This might include the look on someone's face as they opened a present, the quiet moments before you enjoyed a holiday dinner, the deep sigh as you kicked off your shoes after a long day, etc. Think about some of the reasons you have to be grateful for each day.


Then spend a few minutes thinking about things that you didn't get done or people you did not have a chance to connect/re-connect with. Are those things you could still do this winter? If so, how? If you know how, then you simply have to decide when. If not, then is it something that must wait until next November/December or could you plan for them for this spring or summer? Keep in mind, some moments are lost and others can be sort of reconstituted.

But whether your holidays were absolutely perfect, or not at all, I would encourage you to remember to do things to take care of yourself on a regular basis. Plan for and build in time in your schedule to do so. That should be more often than once a year - once a week would be good, but once a month is a start. After all, if you don't take care of you, who will?





Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a job change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, non-retirement planning, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services.


To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.