Life Balance: Take Back Your Time Today
Life Balance: Take Back Your Time Today
Do you feel over-scheduled, over-worked, and overwhelmed? Does your daily life feel like a car race? Do you feel like you hardly ever have family dinner or any face time with your family? You are not alone.
Americans are putting longer hours on the job every year. In fact, we are working more than medieval peasants did, and more than the citizens of any other industrial country. On average, Americans work nearly nine full weeks (350 hours) LONGER per year than our peers in Western Europe do. Is it sad or what?!
That's not all. Working Americans average a little over two weeks of vacation per year, while Europeans average five to six weeks. Many of us (including 37% of women earning less than $40,000 per year) get NO paid vacation at all.
In fact, only 14% of Americans will get a vacation of two weeks or longer this year. A third of women and a quarter of men get no annual leave anymore, as annual leave benefits are being eliminated like pensions. Many others are afraid to use their paid leave for fear they could be laid off or demoted if they do. No wonder the average American vacation is now down to a long weekend.
Is it any wonder that most people are feeling SO stressed out?
October 24 is Take Back Your Time Day. It's a major U.S./Canadian initiative to challenge the epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that now threatens our health, our families and relationships, our communities and our environment.
Here are some tips to help you take back your time today:
1. Learn to Say No
When you are bombarded and overwhelmed by an endless avalanche of tasks, obligations and demands from others, it's critical to know how to say NO and set good boundaries effectively. It's the "gatekeeper" to minimize the amount of tasks and demands you have to deal with.
Whenever you are saying yes to something, you are saying no to something else in your life. So make sure you are saying YES to something important to YOU, and say NO to the rest. For those of you who has a tendency to say yes to every request from others, make it a personal policy to never say yes on the spot. Tell them you have to check your calendar, consult with your spouse or sleep on it. People would respect it when you say it's a personal policy. They won't take it personally. When you do get back to them and decide to say no, be brief without giving too much explanation. Know that you have the right to choose what to say yes to, base on YOUR priorities, core values, and what's on your plate.
2. Practice the 3-D Principle
Every task that comes your way, use the 3-D Principle to determine whether to DO it, DELEGATE it, or DUMP it. The only things that belong to the DO it category are things that must be done by you and you alone, and things that you actually enjoy and choose to do. If a task can be done by someone else, try to delegate it so you can free up precious time and energy to do what's more important and/or enjoyable.
Oftentimes we spend way too much time and energy on things that are not important to our long-term goals or core values. They might feel like have-to's, must-do's, should's, or something urgent but has no "real" value at all for your long-term goals and well-being. Sometimes you might set out to do projects that would be "nice" if you get them done, but, the reality is that with everything else on your plate, you probably will never get to it. So, they stay on your to-do list, take up your mental space, and drain your energy. You need to take a hard look at those things on your to-do list, and choose to dump them altogether. Believe me, you will feel so much lighter!
3. First Thing First
I know this is such a cliché but it is indeed very important. Have you ever had a day when you make the mistake of checking your emails first thing in the morning, and end up spending all morning on emails and surfing the net? Then you feel all frustrated and beat yourself up because you have wasted so much time, and didn't get the important tasks done. We've all been there. I've found it's extremely important for me to prioritize and stay focused on the most important task first, before I allow myself to "wander" into other "stuff".
Brian Tracy says if your tasks are frogs, you need to eat the biggest, the ugliest frog FIRST, before you move on to something else. So, set your plate and eat that frog!
4. Stay in the Moment
The present moment, that is. Most of our anxiety, fears, worries and stress come from thinking about the past or the future. We are not fully alive, when we are living in the past or in the future. We are immersed in these stressful thoughts and feelings, and letting our life slip by. Think about it, have you ever spent time with your child, but you were not mentally there? Are you always in a hurry to get IT (whatever it is) done or go somewhere else? What you're saying to yourself is that whatever you are doing or experiencing right now, is not as important as whatever comes next. Even if what you are doing right now is actually important or enjoyable, because you are not fully present, you cannot experience it fully. A client once told me that even when she went to a massage, half-way through the massage she was already thinking about what she had to do for the rest of the day. She always hurried out right after her massage, instead of allowing herself a few more minutes to transition back to the rest of her day. How much relaxation do you think she really get from her massage?
Make a conscious choice to stay in the present moment. Whatever you are doing or need to deal with, try to focus only on the task at hand, without worrying about what would happen in the future, or even the next moment. Focus only on this present moment. You will have better productivity and less stress.
5. Make time for YOU
When the going gets tough, what do you let go first? Most people let go of their self-care. It could be sleep, healthy eating, exercise, leisure time, hobbies, time with friends, time with yourself, etc. In fact, most people are so over-scheduled, you probably feel like you don't even have 10 minutes free time to yourself. Guess what? It will continue to be this way, unless you make a point to make time for YOU.
It's OK to relax and focus on YOU for a change. What would you like to do for yourself? It could be 15 minutes of quiet time in the morning before everyone gets up, sit a enjoy a cup of your favorite tea, a quick walk around the block at lunch time, a bubble bath infused with therapeutic-grade essential oils, 20 minutes of reading or journaling before bed, going to yoga class, watch a funny video on YouTube, a coffee date with a friend, or a girls night out. When you are really pressed for time, even just 3 minutes of deep breathing can do wonders for your energy, concentration and outlook. Don't tell me you can't even spare 3 minutes for YOU! (Well, if you do feel this way, you need to call me for a coaching session. Seriously!)
So, set an intention to take back your time, and decide which action steps you will commit to take from now on. Your health, well-being and happiness depend on it. The choice is yours.
Life Balance Take Back Your Time Today - To learn more about this author, visit Hueina Su's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
Copyright 2008 Hueina Su, MS, BSN, CEC
Do you feel over-scheduled, over-worked, and overwhelmed? Does your daily life feel like a car race? Do you feel like you hardly ever have family dinner or any face time with your family? You are not alone.
Americans are putting longer hours on the job every year. In fact, we are working more than medieval peasants did, and more than the citizens of any other industrial country. On average, Americans work nearly nine full weeks (350 hours) LONGER per year than our peers in Western Europe do. Is it sad or what?!
That's not all. Working Americans average a little over two weeks of vacation per year, while Europeans average five to six weeks. Many of us (including 37% of women earning less than $40,000 per year) get NO paid vacation at all.
In fact, only 14% of Americans will get a vacation of two weeks or longer this year. A third of women and a quarter of men get no annual leave anymore, as annual leave benefits are being eliminated like pensions. Many others are afraid to use their paid leave for fear they could be laid off or demoted if they do. No wonder the average American vacation is now down to a long weekend.
Is it any wonder that most people are feeling SO stressed out?
October 24 is Take Back Your Time Day. It's a major U.S./Canadian initiative to challenge the epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that now threatens our health, our families and relationships, our communities and our environment.
Here are some tips to help you take back your time today:
1. Learn to Say No
When you are bombarded and overwhelmed by an endless avalanche of tasks, obligations and demands from others, it's critical to know how to say NO and set good boundaries effectively. It's the "gatekeeper" to minimize the amount of tasks and demands you have to deal with.
Whenever you are saying yes to something, you are saying no to something else in your life. So make sure you are saying YES to something important to YOU, and say NO to the rest. For those of you who has a tendency to say yes to every request from others, make it a personal policy to never say yes on the spot. Tell them you have to check your calendar, consult with your spouse or sleep on it. People would respect it when you say it's a personal policy. They won't take it personally. When you do get back to them and decide to say no, be brief without giving too much explanation. Know that you have the right to choose what to say yes to, base on YOUR priorities, core values, and what's on your plate.
2. Practice the 3-D Principle
Every task that comes your way, use the 3-D Principle to determine whether to DO it, DELEGATE it, or DUMP it. The only things that belong to the DO it category are things that must be done by you and you alone, and things that you actually enjoy and choose to do. If a task can be done by someone else, try to delegate it so you can free up precious time and energy to do what's more important and/or enjoyable.
Oftentimes we spend way too much time and energy on things that are not important to our long-term goals or core values. They might feel like have-to's, must-do's, should's, or something urgent but has no "real" value at all for your long-term goals and well-being. Sometimes you might set out to do projects that would be "nice" if you get them done, but, the reality is that with everything else on your plate, you probably will never get to it. So, they stay on your to-do list, take up your mental space, and drain your energy. You need to take a hard look at those things on your to-do list, and choose to dump them altogether. Believe me, you will feel so much lighter!
3. First Thing First
I know this is such a cliché but it is indeed very important. Have you ever had a day when you make the mistake of checking your emails first thing in the morning, and end up spending all morning on emails and surfing the net? Then you feel all frustrated and beat yourself up because you have wasted so much time, and didn't get the important tasks done. We've all been there. I've found it's extremely important for me to prioritize and stay focused on the most important task first, before I allow myself to "wander" into other "stuff".
Brian Tracy says if your tasks are frogs, you need to eat the biggest, the ugliest frog FIRST, before you move on to something else. So, set your plate and eat that frog!
4. Stay in the Moment
The present moment, that is. Most of our anxiety, fears, worries and stress come from thinking about the past or the future. We are not fully alive, when we are living in the past or in the future. We are immersed in these stressful thoughts and feelings, and letting our life slip by. Think about it, have you ever spent time with your child, but you were not mentally there? Are you always in a hurry to get IT (whatever it is) done or go somewhere else? What you're saying to yourself is that whatever you are doing or experiencing right now, is not as important as whatever comes next. Even if what you are doing right now is actually important or enjoyable, because you are not fully present, you cannot experience it fully. A client once told me that even when she went to a massage, half-way through the massage she was already thinking about what she had to do for the rest of the day. She always hurried out right after her massage, instead of allowing herself a few more minutes to transition back to the rest of her day. How much relaxation do you think she really get from her massage?
Make a conscious choice to stay in the present moment. Whatever you are doing or need to deal with, try to focus only on the task at hand, without worrying about what would happen in the future, or even the next moment. Focus only on this present moment. You will have better productivity and less stress.
5. Make time for YOU
When the going gets tough, what do you let go first? Most people let go of their self-care. It could be sleep, healthy eating, exercise, leisure time, hobbies, time with friends, time with yourself, etc. In fact, most people are so over-scheduled, you probably feel like you don't even have 10 minutes free time to yourself. Guess what? It will continue to be this way, unless you make a point to make time for YOU.
It's OK to relax and focus on YOU for a change. What would you like to do for yourself? It could be 15 minutes of quiet time in the morning before everyone gets up, sit a enjoy a cup of your favorite tea, a quick walk around the block at lunch time, a bubble bath infused with therapeutic-grade essential oils, 20 minutes of reading or journaling before bed, going to yoga class, watch a funny video on YouTube, a coffee date with a friend, or a girls night out. When you are really pressed for time, even just 3 minutes of deep breathing can do wonders for your energy, concentration and outlook. Don't tell me you can't even spare 3 minutes for YOU! (Well, if you do feel this way, you need to call me for a coaching session. Seriously!)
So, set an intention to take back your time, and decide which action steps you will commit to take from now on. Your health, well-being and happiness depend on it. The choice is yours.
Life Balance Take Back Your Time Today - To learn more about this author, visit Hueina Su's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
| |||
 |
No article feedback found. | ||
|
Leave Your Feedback | ||
|
|||
 Lessins Lessons for Life Balance
| |||
| 10 points to remember about life balance. |
|||
|
Step by Step
| |||
| Balance is a step by step process, changing as you and your life changes over time. |
|||
|
Balance Yourself With Your Life Wheel
| |||
| Study after study in 2007 finds that workplace policies are not family friendly, more work pressures are brought on by ourselves, and work stress affects all other personal relationships. The life-wheel exercise can... |
|||
|
Make Time for Balance
| |||
| Balance doesn't just happen. You need to make time for balance just like you do for everything else. Some simple reminders to help you on your road to balance. |
|||
|
Work Life Balance
| |||
| Finding balance between work and your personal life. |
|||
| |||
Bernard ReberBack in late 1992, MS Access hit the streets. About that time the company I managed needed new software to handle their growing client base and I decided to try this new product. I had little difficulty writing and adapting a database to suit us and discovered a hidden talent for programming. A business was born. With business studies and 25 years of management experience in three different countries under my belt, I could offer a unique combination of skills and my customers agreed. From these humble beginnings my software 'invoiceit' emerged in 1999 and has since been taken to 49 states (hello Wyoming, won't you join us?), all across Canada and more than 70 other countries. From the very beginning the program included cashbook accounting, the simplest form of keeping financial business records. The Dictionary.com defines 'cashbook' as "A 'book' in which to record money received and paid out". For 'book' substitute 'simple software' and that's what I'm about. Now I have published Simple Accounting, an inexpensive spreadsheet solution which even you can master. For just $14.95 it costs less than a takeout meal! More at http://www.scrambled-card.com/simple_accounting_main.htm - Visit Bernard Reber's Website |
|||
John PowerJohn Power, founder of Biltmore Franchise Consulting, has extensive experience developing and marketing franchises and business opportunities. He has been in and around franchising for over twenty years. From 1980 through 1990 he conceptualized, organized, and developed the American Video Association. He grew AVA to 2,000 national members, before selling the company it 1990. It was later merged into another home video marketing company. From 2000 to 2005 he worked as a contract marketing and human resources consultant to several local and national companies. In 2005 Mr. Power began working as a franchise development consultant on a full-time basis. Since that time he has helped more than three dozen companies initiate and develop their franchising program. He notes that there are many companies interested in developing a franchise program, and who need his specialized assistance. Mr. Power is a “hands-on” franchise consultant. He said, “I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ person who tends to the details for my clients.” Mr. Power holds a B.S. degree with a major in Marketing. See: www.biltmorefranchise.com You may contact Mr. Power at: jpower@biltmorefranchise.co - Visit John Power's Website |
|||
Dr. John OdaJohn Oda Ph.D NLP is a business peak performance expert, an author, and speaker frequently called upon to provide corporate training, workshops and seminars for many companies in the United States. He is an expert in coaching sales and business professionals in overcoming the behaviors and obstacles that may impede their sales results and affect their bottom line. Since 1995, John has created a speaking bureau such topics, which include: time management, sales training, human diversity, leadership programs and etc. He provides companies with a strategic plan to increase their bottom line by over 25 percent yearly. - Visit Dr. John Oda's Website |
|||
Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
|||
George LudwigGeorge Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
 Hueina Su (Visit Hueina's Website) Hueina Su, MS, BSN, CEC, is an expert in helping people find the missing peace and balance in their stressful lives. She is a Certified Empowerment Coach, Professional Keynote Speaker, Founder of Beyond Horizon Coaching, and Author of "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul: 7 Keys to Nurture Yourself While Caring for Others." Written for nurses, doctors, moms, caregivers and other women nurturers, this book offers inspiration as well as practical solutions to prevent burnout and create more joy, peace and balance. Best-selling author Terri Levine calls it "a must read for anyone who is in the role of caregiver." With more than 20 years of experience in nursing, counseling, coaching, and training, Hueina empowers her clients and audiences to go beyond their horizons, and create the life they truly desire. As a professional keynote speaker, Hueina speaks to different groups including government agencies, nonprofit, and professional associations. She speaks from her heart, and offers the audience inspiration, hope, compassion, as well as practical solutions. Visit www.RxForBala nce.com for a FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit, monthly Teleclass, coaching programs, and other resources.
|  |
 |
| Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul - This blog contains articles, insights, tips and tools for women nurturers to practice Intensive Self-Care, manage stress, prevent/overcome Nurturing Burnout, and achieve Work/Life Balance. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
 |
 | ||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
|
| ||
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 |
 NichePreneur Mindset Confidentiality Agreement New Year Revolutions Business / Personal Plan Challenges Of Change |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 HR Blogs 2009
Top 50 HR Blogs 2009 | |
 |
Top 50 Social Media Blogs
Top 50 Social Media Blogs | |
| ||
 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
||||||||||||
