Not Again!
Let’s not start with the “how-to” list on attaining your utopia between a stressful job and a personal life filled with varied emotions.
Hasn’t the importance of maintaining a work life balance been repeated to death?

After a long stressful day at work, the last thing you need from anybody is advice on How to LIVE! I don’t blame you because there are only a few moments between paying your bills, working hard, managing relationships and faking that smile all day, that you can truly find yourself.

Want me to shut up already? Are your nostrils flaring in anger because I am about to touch upon a subject you have been ignoring all along?

Fret not, because it’s not so hard to resolve this. Ask yourself a few simple but important questions to ascertain your life is your control and not the other way around.

Are you Saying NO?

When I started working, I wanted to learn everything. Yes, everything, and in no time! I wanted to be a part of every project and the immense excitement often pushed me beyond my limits to reach higher levels. While this was fantastic from a career perspective, I was also taking on additional responsibility. I was going out of my way to help others, not realizing that while I was reducing the workload of others, I was losing out on valuable time for myself.

Continuous learning is essential to career growth, but learn to say NO once in a while. Not every meeting, conference call or seminar is meant for you. I have been in meetings lasting over 2 hours, where sometimes the subject was irrelevant to my work at hand. If something isn’t contributing to your growth and productivity, say NO!

There is a fear associated with the word NO. However, don’t be afraid to do this when you have been true to your hard work and know you have too much on your plate. Your honesty will only garner respect.

You can’t please everyone, you’re not a Nutella jar!

Are you Prioritizing ?

I have seen many of my friends working long hours all week, sometimes extending into the weekend. Life is busy and stressful, and there are times when we are unable to enjoy that much awaited weekend.

But are you doing that all the time? Are you only living your life waiting for Friday’s and dreading Monday’s?

What are your priorities?

You may enjoy spending time with family, working out, hiking or even cooking your secret ingredient lasagna, but how often are you doing it? If your answer to this question is “But I just don’t have the time”, it’s time to re-evaluate your priorities and cherish the moments you have each day. You may also wish to read 4 simple factors to consider before choosing your next job!

Realize that your work is only a part of your life, it is NOT your life!

Are you Managing Time?

“Time is Money” , but how often do you take that statement seriously?

You will find tons of examples of people who move to large cities in search of a fatter paycheck, only to realize that while their paycheck was getting fat, their time was a malnourished devastated entity.

If you are spending a large amount of time commuting to work, is that time really any quality time? If you are on the bus, train or waiting in your car stuck in traffic, think about the valuable moments you have been taking for granted for so long.

Are you managing your productivity at work keeping time in mind?
Are you taking frequent breaks talking about everything that is wrong with the world?

One of my colleagues often stopped by my office for a quick chat, which ended up lasting over an hour. Realize that talking about world problems or everything wrong with our current state of affairs is not going to solve the problems. It is acting upon problems that is going to solve it. While you were vehemently protesting something beyond your reach, you were also losing out on several hours of productivity at work. Set standards for yourself and strive to finish your work in the least possible time with the best efficiency.

Either Run the Day, or the Day Runs You!
∼ Jim Rohn

Are you really ‘leaving’ work?

If after a hard day at work, you come home and find yourself constantly checking your work emails and feel the need log in, you haven’t really left work. Learn to set the limits and leave your work at the doorstep.

Of course I wouldn’t say this for doctors or surgeons, but for the majority this is something attainable. If your profession does not really demand this constant need to be online, why would you hurt yourself by doing so? You have put in your best for 8 hours of the day, the other two-thirds of the day is ALL FOR YOU!

TIME FLIES .. Don’t let it fly by with regrets of an unaccomplished life, but only with beautiful moments worth cherishing!

Carpe Diem!

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Have you defined YOUR Needs?