8 Essentials for Creating Balance
Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008
by Colleen Kettenhofen
Colleen Kettenhofen and Associates
Leadership and life balance has been a hot topic for some time now. Employers are waking up to the notion that for people to perform well they have to feel well.
In these trying times it's imperative to stay motivated.Change your mind and you change your circumstances.Change your thinking and you can change your life.
How do you do that? Here are 8 essentials for creating balance:
For example, there's someone at my church who recently lost his father. A group of us decided to take food to the family. Helping someone gets your mind off your problems. And it makes you grateful for what you do have. You start focusing on the positive. As Denis Waitley says, "You are either the captive or the captain of your thoughts."
2. Feed your strengths, starve your weaknesses. Researchers note the average person has 50,000 thoughts a day. Most of those thoughts are negative. Your mind is like a computer or the crew on a ship. And what orders you give it will determine what you get.
What you dwell on becomes your destiny. What you focus on the longest becomes the strongest. Spend as much time as possible in a job, or in your life in general, in areas that utilize your strengths. Work doesn't have to be a four-letter word!
3. Practice self-control, self-discipline and a strong work ethic. This is a paradox, but doing the things you like least first helps in creating balance. Practicing good work habits, especially early in the day frees up time later on for doing things you enjoy. And you feel more deserving.
The most successful people are those willing to do what others don't want to do. They've mastered the challenge of overcoming procrastination. Live by the motto, "Just do it.Not by the tongue-in-cheek saying I saw on a t-shirt in Hawaii recently which said, "Just do it-tomorrow"."
4. Decide what really matters. Make a list of those activities and individuals that put a spring in your step. What gives you energy and makes you laugh?
For example, spending time with my boyfriend's family is terrific because they're hilarious. I always have belly-aching laughs when I'm with them. Laughter really is the best medicine. Conversely, what detracts from your life and drags you down? Start phasing those things out of your life.
5. Focus on having fun. No matter busy and stressful your days, schedule some time for fun. In creating balance, what makes you happy? For instance, this weekend my man and I are taking our dogs on a day trip to Flagstaff, Arizona. Being at 7,000 feet in the pines helps me "fill the well." There's nothing like crisp mountain air and the smell of the pines to make me forget the cares of the world.
6. Spend time in silence. Make an effort to get more sleep. Studies have shown getting enough sleep helps reduce cravings for carbs and sweets. Temporarily turn off your cell phone, Blackberry, TV or car stereo. Before bed spend quiet time in prayer or meditation.
7. People-pleasers: Learn to say no. Or, if there's something you must do, ask for support. Don't try and do it all yourself.
8. Concentrate single-mindedly on one task until it's complete. Stop multitasking. Sometimes when you try to do 10 things at once, you end the day not having completed anything.
Lastly, it's been said that survivors of emotional, physical, or circumstantial difficulties practice eight things: strong spiritual belief, have a strong support system, sense of humor,connection to nature, goals, proper nutrition, openness to change, and get sufficient rest and exercise. In creating balance, which of these can you create today?
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Colleen Kettenhofen is an Arizona motivational keynote speaker, author, and presentation skills trainer. She has spoken in 47 states and six countries
for top corporations and associations since 1995. Topics: managing people,
leadership, difficult people, life balance. Colleen is available for keynotes and seminars (800)323-0683. For free articles, e-newsletter, and video
clips visit: http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Colleen, I am so guilty of #2 and #8. I was speaking with a friend just this afternoon about #7 and feel I've found balance there. I'll continue to work on it. I found when I multi-tasked, not only had I not completed anything but many times, I had not started either because of the inner turmoil on where to start. Such time wasters! I have improved greatly because of reading articles like this and deliberately seeking balance. Thank you for this wonderful information. Be well. - Avis
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