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How to Put Yourself First And Live Happily

Guest post by: Terri Levine

Article Overview: Too often the higher we climb our corporate ladders and build our businesses the further we get from enjoying a real life. We put too many other things ahead of ourselves and by the time we get around to stopping and smelling the roses or achieving any of the other things we keep saying we'll do, we wake up and find we've missed the opportunity and it's too late. Don't let that happen to you!

How to Put Yourself First And Live Happily

Are you, as are many business professionals and business owners, at the bottom of your list of priorities? You'll take a break or do something special when such and such is finished... when the kids are older... when that new project is established... when you reach such and such milestone...

We're taught to put others first - it's good manners and good business sense, right? Yes, but as members of the human race we are also automatically entitled to the same consideration and if we are going to live well balanced lives we need to place ourselves further up the list from time to time. If your excuse is you are depended upon by everyone and everything, that you just have to be there and be available 24/7, then answer this: How can you possibly be of any use to anyone if you are not in excellent condition yourself, and how do you maintain being in top condition if you are at the bottom of your list of priorities? Where do you get the time to take care of yourself, to ensure you are in the peak condition you need to be in to be of such valuable service to others? How does burning yourself out help others? You'll be useless to yourself, your business, and your family if you become ill and have to stop what you are doing. A heart attack or ulcers is not something that will improve your productivity or your relationships. You probably take better care of your car than you do of yourself, do you? Do you give it regular services, check its oil and tires? When was the last time you checked your own personal, human "oil and tires" or gave yourself a "service"? And yet you expect yourself to keep performing well? How long do you think that can last? Graveyards are full of people who thought they were super-humans! Here are some ideas for taking better care of yourself: 1. Live with passion. What are you passionate about (apart from work) that you can bring more of into your existence? Maybe it's a hobby or a sport. Or maybe it is something more relaxing like reading. Maybe you like gardening? Whatever stokes your fire, find room for it in your busy schedule.

2. Forget the "shoulds" - what are your wants? Find room for them in your life, too. This might even relate to your job. Maybe you went into law because your parents expected it - it may pay well but you're miserable. It's never too late for a career change. Hire a career coach and explore your options.

3. Make your dreams a reality. Some dreams are just dreams but others are experiences waiting to happen. For example, do you dream of going surfing every weekend? Just do it. Maybe not every weekend, but at least regularly enough to satisfy the desire.

4. Add "no" to your vocabulary. You can find time in your life for you by setting boundaries and not taking on more than is your fair share. Other people will use you if they get a chance. Let them stand on their own two feet. It is not being selfish - it is being reasonable.

5. You can attract the help and support of others by helping them first. There are always opportunities to help others and we can find them if we keep our eyes open. Don't wait to be asked - offer. Most people will reciprocate the favor, and we can call it in when we need it - which is handy when we are overworked and want assistance.

6. If you find time for yourself and incorporate fun activities and pastimes into your busy schedule and you are still missing out on a healthy work/life balance, consider hiring a coach who is trained to help you clear the clutter from your life and establish balance.

You don't expect others to just work and never enjoy themselves, right? And if you do, you definitely need help. You weren't put on this planet to just work - whether that be for somebody else or your own business. There is more to life and it is better to find it and enjoy it now than wait until you are too old to do anything about missed opportunities.

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Article Tags: enjoying life, putting yourself first, saying no, smelling the roses, work and life balance



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