Balance

One of the things that we often struggle with is finding balance in our lives. Keeping up with not only our own schedules, but those of our kids, families, and workplaces - makes it hard to find time to engage in activities that we need and want to to do. Sometimes it feels as though there's not enough time in the day; and that we are in a perpetual race just to keep up.

Balance -- it's engaging all aspects, mind, body, spirit. All three areas need to be addressed for us to be our best. Each of us has 24 hours to use...how do we best make use of that time? Not to suggest setting up a schedule that only makes you stress out about having a schedule, but rather, I encourage you to think about your average day.

Think back over the course of the past three days and try to recollect how much time you spend doing your normal day activities. Write down the amount of time you spend doing each:

• Getting ready/kids ready for work/school:
• Being at work or school:
• Running errands:
• Spending quality time with your family:
• Doing household work:
• Watching tv:
• Playing:
• Sleeping:
• Engaging in activities that are fulfilling for you (e.g., reading, relaxing, chatting on the phone with friends, going to church, meditating, journaling):
• Exercising:
  
• Social activities:

Looking at the time that you spend in each of these areas, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are the areas that you see you spend the most time?
  
• What are the areas that you would like to spend more time engaged in?
• How can you arrange your schedule so that you're doing more of what you LIKE to do?

After asking yourself these questions, it may become apparent where there could be some time shifts....where you could perhaps spend some time doing one activity more than another....Or, you could feel as though you're still lacking the time. If you fall into the latter category, which most likely you are, take a moment to think about your "to-do" list for the upcoming week.

Think about those items on the list. Where do they fall in priority? Are they "Must Do's?" or are they "Should Dos?" Place an "M" next to every activity that is a "Must Do," and place an "S" next to every activity that is a "Should Do."

Think about when in your schedule you were going to do the "Should Do" items this week, and try swapping them with some of the activities that you listed as activities that you would LIKE to spend more time doing. After a couple of days of your new routine with the LIKE items sprinkled into your schedule, check in with yourself.

How did it feel to spend more time doing what you LIKE to do?
How did you feel about re-prioritizing your activities?
How did not doing the "Should Dos" make you feel?

It might be a little difficult at first. You may feel guilty letting some of your "Should Dos" slide. But more than likely, you will probably feel pretty good about interspersing more activities that you LIKE to do in your daily routine.

Try tipping the balances in your favor a little bit each week. Guaranteed, it's going to make a positive difference!