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5 tips on achieving better work-life balance

Written by: Marie-Piere Belisle-Kennedy

Article Overview: The success of the new generation of entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and business owners implies 24/7 accessibility, especially for those in the service and competitive sectors (and who isn't these days). The line between "Not now I'm working honey" and "I'll be right there after I send this last email" gets blurrier and blurrier at home and affects the quality of lives of millions hooked up to perma-technology. In this article, you will find useful, simple and affordable tips to make the best of both worlds and gain a sense of control over your business; why not enjoy yourself more and be fun to deal with! Remember the rested,organized and satisfied mind is a productive, creative and profit generating mind!

5 tips on achieving better work-life balance

Do you ever feel like your business has a life of its own? Some days it feels like micro organisms, others your office looksmore like the underworld...You may be an entrepreneur, but really, Who's running who here?I wanted to share some tipson how to make sure your manypriorities don't swallow you whole and how you canlearn to actually enjoy the juggling act. The irony for me was that Iused toprocrastinate to submit articles... on work-life balance for this very website, due to all my other tasks, commitments and other priorities!

1. Get centered and get very grateful before you boot up your computerevery morning, by closing your eyes and taking a few long breaths. Your blood pressure will stabilize once you start looking forward to reading your emails and communicating with the world. We are all connected, and we can use our powers for good! This took a while to apply and appreciate... My attitude used to be "Let's see what the cat dragged in" or "who's got an emergency for me today"... but now I see each challengeor request as an opportunity to shine and go the extra mile, for my own personal satisfaction and to share the journey with my clients and colleagues. Is there such a thing as the worker's high? Only if you can derive simple pleasures from your daily tasks, and include a few more pleasant activities throughout your week. Remember, you are here because of your own choices (for the most part; otherwise we would all be on the beach).

2. Pick the people you do business with, based on your own intuition. This may sound odd, but I discovered that we become even more successful when surrounded and inspired by the right people and businesses. Those absorbed by negative energy will never get ahead and meet their meaningful goals in the long run. Try to attract the kinds of projects that are right for you and fit your core values. The rest will follow; it may seem hard to say no at first but you will need to make way for what will charge you with light and a smile on your face. I certainly appreciate my collaborators and clients' sense of humour! But more importantly, their vision is in synergy with mine.

3. Use your breaks wisely.Most people working at a computer all day (lucky us!)are likely to browse online on their down timeinstead of going out for a short walk in the fresh air. Not only will the exercise stimulate yourmind and blood flow, but the change of scenery will do wonders for your energy levels and outlook. Try to use your breaks to plan something you will look forward to that evening or the following week-end...On that topic, if you are lucky enough to have your clients or colleagues nearby - hold your short meetings outside!Try to incorporate more muscles into everyday tasks and you can eventually cut down on your gym time.

4.Redecorate and have a mascot. Here at 5 Star Communications headquarters, cherished photos and Sam the yellow labradorareconstant reminders thatour work life needs to flow in sync with the rest of our lives. I am thankful everyday not to be writing from a grey cubicle and having greenery outside my window. Having a pet nearby will force you to get up and stretch every hour or so, evenwhen deadlines are looming!Our bodies react to our surroundings, so take some time to rearrange a few things on your desk or walls.

5. If none of these tips help or apply to you, reconsider your life goals and short term objectives. What is truly important to you? Do you value quality work but have no time to improve your skills on a yearly basis? Do you value health but are eating your stress awayat this verycomputer? Maybe you value relationships but have no time to return personal calls or emails? Stop and realize you can change your way of doing things any time you choose to. You are the boss.

Now get back to work!

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Article Tags: business owners, energy, goals, gratefulness, positivity, worklife balance, worklife balance, Zen



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