Balance your Life in 5 Simple Steps

An Article by Mary Kay Aide, MS, PCC

Do you:

Want more time with your spouse and family?
Feel guilty at work because there’s so much to do at home, and guilty at home because there’s so much to do at work?
Run all day and never catch up?
Ever get time for YOU?

You may have many wonderful things in your life……kids, a partner, career, faith community, volunteer work, friends, etc., but are you are so busy you’re unable to enjoy it? And on top that, you feel guilty because you realize that in many ways you are living a dream life, but it doesn’t feel very dream like.

If this is you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!! There are many people, especially women, who feel this way and believe that the only choices available are to simply accept it or make some drastic changes, like quitting work or breaking up a family!!

You don’t have to make dramatic changes in your life to have a more fulfilling life. It really is possible, even in these busy times, to feel fulfilled, contented and happy. I have created a five-step process that will help you manage the many responsibilities you have to find more balance and meaning in your life:

Create a Vision-What do you want? If you woke up tomorrow morning and your life was exactly how you wanted it, what would it be like? What would you be doing for work? Who would be in your life; where would you be living; and what would your schedule be like? What would your day to day interactions be like? Write down or tell someone what your perfect life would be like.

Assess your Values-Make a list of your values and/or priorities and take a look at your life. Do your day to day activities match that list? If someone watched you on a daily basis, would they be able to identify your values by your behavior and activities?

Let Go of Guilt-This is one of the toughest steps. Many women do not feel worthy of having a life they really love. What do you need to do to feel deserving? It’s okay to ask for what you want. You are at least as important as anyone else in your life. It’s okay to focus on yourself once in a while.

Experiment with New Behaviors- Everything is an experiment. Some experiments work and some don’t. Try new behaviors and see how they fit. You don’t know how a new idea will work until you try. Want to exercise? How can you fit in into your life? Want more time for yourself? How can you make that happen? Explore and experiment. If it doesn’t work, it’s okay, just move on and try something else.

Celebrate the Process-Be nice to yourself!! Support yourself in the way you support your kids, partners or friends. It’s okay to make mistakes. Celebrate the small steps. Understand that life is two steps forward and one step backward. That’s just the way it is, so enjoy the process.

Working through these five steps will not only make your life more manageable, but will help you create a life you LOVE!

This is your life, make it what you want!

For more information, go to www.lifecoachmkay.com.