Here are my 10 Tips for Work/Life Balance and Success
Let’s face it: It’s not easy to balance the stresses and demands of daily life. As fall approaches and responsibilities increase, many of us will be running faster with things coming at us from all directions. Adding to the mix, the growing uncertainty and shifts in the world around us can make finding a sense of balance more elusive than ever.
All the reasons why we return to The Ranch time and time again! To regain perspective, reconnect with ourselves and others, revitalize inside and out, rejuvenate, and renew.
Seeking work/life balance is like the quest for the holy grail. We yearn for it. We search for it. As we pursue it, it’s just out of our reach. Or we think we finally found it, and poof, it magically disappears!Perhaps it’s the “idea of balance” that trips us up. The word balance conjures up a visual of an easy, peasy, and breezy life, where everything is perfectly in order and in its place. A trap if I ever heard one! The truth is, if we had balance all the time, life could be BORING.
I worked in Silicon Valley years ago in a very demanding job with a ton of responsibility.
I flew cross country almost every week, leaving on Monday and returning to San Francisco on Friday. I would spend the weekend decompressing and do it all over again on Monday. Rinse and repeat.
At that time, the last thing I had was balance! Due to my focus on success and a crazy work schedule, I knew I had to incorporate tools to keep me sane. I learned that if I take a step back and prioritize self-care, I can come back into equilibrium when I feel rocky and off balance.
Balance is feeling grounded, clear-headed, calm, and with a sense of ease and joy.It’s trusting that you have a good handle on all the aspects of your life and believing that the universe has your back. So, no matter what, amidst ups or downs, you flow with it rather than fight or resist what is happening at the moment.
My Daily Go-To’s to Increase Productivity and Ease
- Make an intention and discipline your mantras.
- Flip the switch from your active monkey mind by focusing on your heart.
- Go for a walk between meetings and BREATHE.
- Grant yourself a daily dose of gratitude.
- Create blocks of time on your calendar to get things done.
- Turn off notifications when you’re working on a deadline.
- Respond to texts twice a day – rather than every time your phone pings.
- Reduce time on social media and how often you read/listen to news.
Here are my 10 Tips for Work/Life Balance and Success
#1 Start Your Day with a Positive Attitude.
Get out of your head and into your body: whatever that means for you. It might be a walk with your dog, meditation, yoga, a killer workout, or whatever floats your boat. Your intention is to be grounded, present, and ready to face the day.
#2 Be Authentic. Stay True to Your Values.
Authenticity Rules. Your experience, values, strengths, skills, passions, and DNA are unique. Embrace your individuality and all that you are. You’ll exude confidence, and it will lead to your ultimate success.
#3 Think Good Thoughts. Say Good Things.
It’s important to bask ourselves in uplifting and positive thoughts. Hence, we feel inspired, motivated, optimistic, energized, productive, and good about ourselves. Choose your words wisely.
We often don’t realize how powerful our words are and how they impact others.
#4 The B Word. Boundaries.
Boundaries are essential for our productivity, success, well-being, and happiness. They empower us and contribute to feeling we’re in the driver’s seat of our lives. Who doesn’t want that?
#5 Clarity On What You Want.
To manifest what you want, you need a clear vision of what that is in order to create a strategy and plan to get you there. You can always change a plan, but it’s hard to change if you don’t have one, right?
#6 Compete with Yourself.
Putting energy into what your colleagues or friends are doing or achieving is easy. Stay focused on the activities that will bring YOU the results you want. Giving your attention to others takes your eye off the prize of being the best you can be.
#7 Don’t Expect a Certain Outcome.
I believe in high standards and developing specific goals, yet I’ve learned not to expect a particular outcome. Expectations are a breeding ground for disappointment. Be open to how situations unfold. If you remain flexible, the result may be better than you anticipated!
#8 Trust Your Gut.
The truth is, you’ve got to learn to use your instincts to be successful in business and life. The more you rely on your instincts, intuition, and real-life experience, the better you’ll be at making sound decisions.
#9 Know Your Limits.
Contrary to popular belief, humans have limits! Check in with yourself to see what you need now. Instead of attending the event you’ve been dreading, a candlelit bath or meditation is a better choice.
#10 Go for It.
Taking risks isn’t for everyone. Fear usually prevents us from doing something uncomfortable. Acknowledge your fear, but don’t let it stop you from going after what you want!
Conclusion
Finding balance is a personal journey. It’s unique for everyone, and there is no one-size-fits-all. Try not to make it another task to cross off your to-do list! Some people thrive with a killer workout, others with a meditative walk, a dance party, yoga, breath work, art, sound healing, green juices, reading, healing massage, great sex, deep sleep, or a combination of the above.
It’s up to us to discover what works best to bring us back into balance. We just have to decide it’s a priority and do it.
Amy Matthews is a business strategist, leadership consultant, and executive coach. Her expertise lies in elevating high-performing executives, entrepreneurs, and teams to reach their highest potential for success. Amy delivers her signature leadership program, Authenticity, Purpose, Impact, and offers an online course, Leadership Skills for Rising Stars. Earlier in her career, Amy spent eight years in executive search. Before recruiting, she held executive positions in Silicon Valley, leading domestic and international teams to consistently overachieve objectives.
Amy has an uncanny ability to cut through the noise. She teaches people to find their authentic leadership style, communicate with confidence and conviction, and stay focused in our new normal.
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