10 tips to a life in balance

“This year is the year of balance” one of my clients confidently shared with me a few weeks ago. When I asked them what this meant to them, they explained that it was time to get some balance back, to feel more in control and more relaxed. It was time to become the driver rather than the passenger on the train… I had to smile because I could relate to this in so many ways! It’s easy to feel a little out of balance sometimes, but the good news is, with some honesty, focus and a good dose of acknowledgement, getting your balance back when you notice the scales are tipped is easier than you think. There is no secret recipe! Balance is something that means different things to different people. The important thing is knowing what a life in balance looks like for you. Feel like you’re too busy mopping up the floor to stop and turn off the tap at the moment? Consider some of the ideas below when you feel it’s time to get your balance back…

1. Balance - In your own words.

Balance means different things to different people. So it’s important to know what it means to you – not others. What does a balanced life mean to you? Jot down what a typical week in your life would look like if were perfectly balanced. How would you be spending your time? What would you be doing differently?

2. Know your values.

Values are your moral compass. If you know what’s most important to you – decision making becomes easier. Think about what is really important to you and consider how much of your energy is being spent on these things. A life that feels out of balance is usually a signal that you’re life is misaligned vs. your values.

3. Get real about now.

Getting real on how you are currently spending your time can be a very useful wake-up call! Print out or photocopy our diary for the last 2 weeks and highlight how you have spent your time. Use different colours for the different components of your life. Take a real honest look. What percentage of your week have you spent on each of the areas that make up your life?

4. Be responsible for your time.

You and only you are responsible for signing off on how you spend your time. You are in control of the balance or the imbalance. Make a decision to focus on creating balance by making choices that support a balanced life. Learn to be exquisite at mastering your time. You have the same 1,440 minutes available each day as everyone else!

5. Leave work on time.

I’m yet to see the grave stone that reads “Billy Brown was a great employee who stayed late every day”. If you absolutely had to leave work by 5/5:30 everyday, what would you do differently throughout the day? What could you tackle more efficiently? What would you stop doing altogether? Imagine having an extra hour every night to do something you really loved – what would you do? Consider how you could make that happen without compromising the value you bring to your work.

6. Exercise your mind.

The health benefits of exercise are well known but when was the last time that you gave your mind a good stretch? What was the name of the last great book you read? Inspirational course or seminar you attended? Foreign film or documentary you watched? How did it change your perspective on the world? A little time spent each week on stretching your mental boundaries will be well worth it!

7. Know the difference between important and urgent.

All too often our day is filled with ‘urgent’ tasks and projects. There is a big difference between urgent and important. Spending five minutes at the start or the end of the day capturing the big ticket items that will drive your business and life forward will help you focus. Say no respectfully to requests that are urgent but not important.

8. Invest your time.

Your time is one of, if not the most precious, limited resource you have. Consider treating your time like you do your money. Invest it wisely. Don’t spend it frivolously or waste it. If you don’t respect your time it will be hard for others to do so.

9. Practice ‘Me time’.

Time to rest, to laugh, to learn, to breathe. What’s your favourite way to spend an hour with the person who knows you best – you? Devote just 1 hour each week to touch base with yourself. If 1 hour seems like a lot, then break it into smaller timeslots throughout the week. Do something rewarding and something that makes you feel good.

10. Say thank you.

Acknowledgement is a wonderful but highly under utilised process. Each day make an effort to say thank you to someone who deserves it (that person might even be yourself).

Belinda Cordina is the Managing Director of Brave Coaching and Consulting Pty Ltd and the publisher of Brave New World. Belinda helps her clients unlock and develop human potential through creating new ways of thinking and performing while having a hell of a lot of fun. She inspires brave thinking and peak performance through providing coaching and training programs specially crafted for marketing and communications professionals. If you’d like to feel inspired, challenged and learn a little more visit: www.bravecoaching.com or contact us at: admin@bravecoaching.com.

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