Balance - Make time for things you love

[Evan]

To kick things off in this new forum category I wanted to share with you some of the lessons I learned from Jim Cathcart. Jim's simple message is to make time for the things that you love.

No matter how busy we get in life, no matter how ambitious we are in chasing our business dreams, we still need to make time for the things that we love - be it family, friends, music, motorcycles, etc - whatever means something to you.

If you don't make time for those things then you're bringing less to the table. If you're just a business machine then eventually you will burn out and have an empty life.

Jim recommends finding time every day to doing the things that you love. It will give your life more meaning as well as make you happier.

In my life, for example, I committed to spending more time with my family and I now only go into the office from Monday to Thursday. I'm home on Fridays and spend time with my wife. I've also created a journal where I try to do something meaningful for someone in my life every day. It could be a heartfelt thank you card to someone who helped me, clipping and mailing a news story to a friend who would find it interesting, or surprising my wife with chocolates.

I find that by doing something every day and by being home on Fridays I've been able to increase the quality of my life and my business has also grown in the process.

What have you done to make time of the things that you love?

[Evan]

My apologies that permissions were accidentally turned off to view this section of the forums - everything should be in order now!

[GT Bulmer]

Hi, Evan:

Very nice launch to the Entrepreneur University section! I enjoyed your review of Jim Cathcart's message. You gave some insight into Jim's message and you related it to your life and experience and how you are applying some of what you learned.

Thanks for leading the way and providing an inspirational review of an inspirational message!

GT

[TannyL]

Hi Evan,
When you priorities are changing and you find time for yourself and your family, you productivity goes up. You are a happier person, more relaxed, and your mind is sharp.

i recommend to everyone I know to change their lives and get some balance. I have a day job and an online business. It is hard. But I made the decision to give it only what I can and able to give everyday, and not force myself to do work.

At first I felt guilty for not using all my waking hours and working online. Today, I know I made he right decision. Still earning money, not as much as I want, but it's coming, and I am pleased.

[mbrand2222]

I agree to the importance of balancing a person's life. I know several people who seem to think that they were just put on earth to "bring home the bacon" and they'll do it at any cost. As a result, many of their marriages have suffered and children have been almost neglected. We once had a great guest speaker at one of our teacher in-services and he hit this very hard, as teachers tend to easily fall into the catagory of Live Off Balance; especially those that also coach. I will never forget his valuable motivational speech and have tried to keep my life balanced ever since. I look forward to checking into this subject futher and going to the links mentioned when I have more time. That's for letting us know about it.

[ideasuniversity]

Thanks for this post.

[MichelleJ]

Balance in life is important, and one generally is more productive work wise when they take the occasional break to smell the roses or read a book that has nothing to do with work but is just for enjoyment. A little time spent with the family is also a worthwhile
pass time.

MichelleJ

[Anelly]

About making time for things you love i would like to tell you something nice. Last night i got home quite late, at 11 pm. Near the building i live, is a small park and a football field. When i got out from the car i heard laughs and when i looked on the field there was a man playing with his son. And they were laughing and running and was so nice and sad also. I thought that this man most probably was working very late in the afternoon but he still dedicate time (even if it's very late) for his son. I just felt strange.

[mbrand2222]

About making time for things you love i would like to tell you something nice. Last night i got home quite late, at 11 pm. Near the building i live, is a small park and a football field. When i got out from the car i heard laughs and when i looked on the field there was a man playing with his son. And they were laughing and running and was so nice and sad also. I thought that this man most probably was working very late in the afternoon but he still dedicate time (even if it's very late) for his son. I just felt strange.

Anelly,
I agree. It's always nice to see these things happening. It seems like it is getting to be a rare occurence any more. I'm glad they warmed your heart and you "stopped to smell the roses". It's the little things in life that make it worth living.

[GT Bulmer]

Hey, Anelly:

Thanks for sharing that story! It is touching and inspirational.

Does anyone remember that "Cat's in the Cradle" song by Harry Chapin? It came out when I was in my teens. I thought, yep, that sounds like my Dad - I'm never going to be like that...

...Guess what? You got it - I turned out a lot like my Dad! (The song makes me sad every time I hear it!)

GT