For many of us, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the tasks that’s add up. What’s holding you back from living your dream life? It can be summed up in one word.
Balancing work life and the day-to-day tasks that have become a part of our lives becomes increasingly challenging. Every day you are constantly surrounded by deadlines, bosses, coworkers, clients, or patients — everyone is in your face about getting things done. You might even have family members who succumb to the pressure of everyday life. It’s easy to feel discouraged when you can’t spend quality time with them because of your work-life imbalance.
First off, let me start by saying that it isn’t easy. You are probably reading this because you are feeling overwhelmed right now. It’s great that you are taking action in your life to make things better!
The next step is to find alone time in your day-to-day. If you are in school — plan for an hour study session each night after class rather than cramming everything in the week before the test. If you are working, try out some meditation or breathing exercises beforehand. It’ll help immensely! If you are a parent, carve out time each day to do something you enjoy, whether running or reading that latest bestseller. You will feel refreshed afterward and give more of yourself to your family.
After all, life is all about progress, not perfection. Here are just a few things that might hold you back from a richer work-life and some work-life hacks to get you out of your rut.
The first step to work-life balance is knowing what work-life balance means for you. Maybe work/life happiness looks like working fifty hours a week, but only on projects that truly inspire you. Or perhaps it seems like working thirty hours a week at your dream job. Or maybe it’s sitting on the couch all day watching Netflix. Everyone’s work-life balance is different, so it helps figure out what yours is first.
Habits and behaviors
Do you use all your free time to binge-watch Netflix? Or do you find yourself constantly texting and checking social media during “me time?” Whatever it is, it’s still a distraction. Identify the bad habits that could be holding you back and then take steps to change them. You might not think you have the time to train for a marathon in your day job, but what if you committed every day at 9 am to run around the block? The takeaway from this is to plan, focus on one or two tasks, be constant and grow from there.
Technology
Between meeting deadlines and checking in with clients, the ability to multi-task is becoming more and more necessary. But many of us don’t stop to think about how our reliance on technology might be stifling our productivity — or worse: holding us back from living a fruitful life. Do you find yourself constantly checking your phone?
Emotions
We all have emotional highs and lows, but some of us ride a roller coaster every day. Identifying the emotional triggers that hold you back from a balanced life can be a significant step towards change. Do you come home from work feeling defeated every day? Or do you live in fear of making a mistake? Identify the emotional states that hold you back and work towards developing strategies for coping.
The following questions might help kickstart your brainstorming process!
When do you feel most balanced in your life?
What do you think would have to change about working to have a more prosperous life?
What do a truly fulfilled week, month, and year look like to you?
Only by defining what success means for ourselves can we truly make strides towards living our dreams. So go ahead, take these questions with you today! Get out there and start changing your perspective.
Exercise, even if it’s just thirty minutes of walking each day.
Planner, notebook, or journal (to keep track of daily tasks and goals)
Meal prep containers (to make healthy eating a snap)
Coffee to keep you warm and focused throughout the day!
Calm — Meditation app with guided breathing exercises and sleep stories
Always remember that life is all about progress, not perfection. You’ll never get everything right 100% of the time. And that’s okay. Try to focus on being present and enjoying the moment you live in instead of dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about future tasks. Trust yourself, and trust in the process.
Hey, after all, we’re only and take a break every once in a while! Exhaustion can quickly lead to stress and poor decision-making. It’s essential to go outside and enjoy the sun now and then. Meditate, practice yoga, or do other activities that help you unwind.
Remember, tomorrow is a new day; make count today by pursuing your goals fiercely and living each moment to its fullest potential. Remember that the new reality of an ideal work-life balance is a tricky concept — and it’s unique to each of us. But the only way to achieve happiness is by identifying what makes you feel good about yourself — both inside and out. Start to envision your ideal life. What makes you the happiest? What are things that bring out your personality? And, most importantly, what are the things you enjoy doing most with your friends and family?
Live in the moment. Remember that this one day is just a part of something much bigger and keep in mind that we’re all on this journey together — so let’s lean on each other for support and make one another’s lives better in the process.
What’s holding you back? Write in the comment below and look forward to helping you through your hurdles.
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Please share what strategies and tips work for you in the comments below. This has been “What’s holding you back?” I hope it was helpful.
