Maintaining Balance in Life

Weekly Quote
 
 "Every day give yourself a good mental shampoo." Jordan
 
Weekly TimBit – Maintaining balance in life.
 
One of the challenging  issues facing many people today is the ability to maintain a sense of balance in their lives. It's impossible to have total balance in your life. There are just too many demands, issues, problems, needs, goals and people to deal with. It is possible however to have enough balance to reduce the stress in your life while enjoying many of the gifts life has to offer you.
 
There are several areas where we need to balance our lives. They are: family, work, financial, friends, social, spiritual, self-development, physical, personal interests, business or career interests and fun.
At any given time you can be way out of balance. For example if you have just started a new business or career. You have just had your first child or you are in a new relationship.
 
During these times you will most likely devote more time and energy to these activities while ignoring some of the other life areas. The problem is if we stay out of balance in one area for a long period of time. For example, working 7 days a week for 25 years at the expense of your health, friends and family.
 
What are some of the reasons why people get out of balance?
  
1. A lack of clear long-term goals.
2. The inability to say no.
3. Trying to please everyone.
4. A lack of concentration and focus.
5. Emotional immaturity.
6. Insecurity.
7. Unrealistic goals.
8. A lack of self-respect.
9. A lack of planning.
10. A lack of respect for others.
11. Poor organization skills.
12. Over ambition.
13. Poor time management.
 
What are some steps we can take if we are out of balance?
 
1. Spend time deciding what is really important in your life, both short and long term.
2. Share your goals, dreams, needs and frustrations about being out of balance with the people in
    your life that matter.
3. Learn to set better priorities.
4. Say no more often.
5. Determine where you are out of balance and ask yourself, why.
6. Spend time better planning your days, weeks, months, and years.
7. Get up an hour earlier or go to bed an hour later. Use the time for reflection or planning.
8. Accept the fact that there are times in your life when you will be temporarily out of balance.
9. Simplify your life.
10. Simplify your life. (not a typo….intended repetition)
 
Question for the week –
 
Where in life are you out of balance? 
 
 Weekly reading assignment –
 
The Happiness Makeover, Ryan
 
Make it a great week and a tremendous year,  In His service, Tim