Maintain balance within your Work life and Personal life

This month, I am reminded that maintaining a work-life balance can be difficult. It is essential that we disconnect from work and maintain a rewarding personal life.

To take control of your work-life balance:

1. Set your personal priorities. What's important in your personal life? Make a list:
· Do you like to exercise, attend Yoga class, go to the gym?
· Do you have people you like to spend time with like a spouse? friends, children, girlfriend or boyfriend?
· Do you like to go to the movies, hike, read books on the beach, write or play computer or video games?
· Do you donate your time to a local nonprofit or church?
Whatever your priorities, make time for it and be present in your personal life.

2. Manage your time at work. When you are at work, give 110%. Work efficiently and with purpose. Sometimes overtime or being on call is required, a lot of times, being married to our jobs are self imposed. Work your 8 hours, efficiently, and then leave! Enjoy that other part of you...your personal life!

3. Protect your privacy. When you leave work, turn off the blackberry! Don't go home and log in to your work email or take calls from your boss. It's your personal time, quality time that you need to rebuild your mind and body for the next day.

Manage your Stress!

While working my way through law school, a good friend gave me techniques to better manage stress. The belief in the medical community is that excessive stress tears down the body and makes you exhausted.

Take advantage of you medical coverage:

1. Psychologist (its wonderful to talk to an objective 3rd party)
2. Acupuncture and Chiropractic adjustments

Eliminate stress toxins by:

1. Exercise/Yoga/Stretching (purchase tapes on loan from the local library)
2. Losing Excess Weight
3. Invest in and take a good daily vitamin
4. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
5. Get at least 1-2 hours of natural sunlight a day (sit or walk outside during lunch breaks, open the curtains and blinds when you are home)
6. Only talk to people who are positive, limit communication with co-workers, family and/or friend who are negative

Regroup: Emotionally, Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually.

1. Attend church, pray and Read Psalms
2. Take Selfish time: Do your hair, give yourself a Manicure or Pedicure, have your spouse give you an hour massage everyday, take a quiet hot soke in the tub daily
3. Reconnect with friends and family.

Thanks,

Patrice