The balancing act - A working youngster's attempt to a happy life

When I started working a year ago at a start up, I decided to notice the smallest things that keep me happy as an individual and enhance my productivity at work . I began to observe and note down the effects of different activities on my energy levels, outlook on life and ability to handle stressful situations. In this article, I list down 7 such activities that I believe have helped me strike a reasonable balance (I don't say "perfect balance" because "perfect" does not exist and the most important thing is to accept that).

1. Cherish and guide the child in you

I remember, as a child I had absolutely no inhibitions, I always boasted of high energy levels, always looked forward to adventures and more often than not injured myself doing so. As I grew up, I began to raise my guard, my energy levels dipped, my enthusiasm began to fade, however, the frequency of injuries dropped too. I realized that I needed to retain the enthusiasm and courage from my childhood and alertness from adulthood to make the most of opportunities.

2. Don't lose what defines you

Very often I have heard people close to me say "I was a great athlete, a great dancer, a great painter, a great singer.... But then I had to let go because I started working and it got really hectic". Believe me, I have been there and I have never felt more lost and unhappy as I have felt then. Dance defines me, a week without dancing leaves me disoriented. I have also observed that dance makes me calmer, more stable, grounded and happy. I find myself more creative and productive at work in the week post dance class. Everyone has a calling, my father for instance finds solace in gardening, it makes him genuinely happy. The key is to find that one activity that defines you and stick to it, no matter how tough it gets.

3. Nourish your permanent home

Your body is a home you will live in forever

A weak body could be a major reason for lost opportunities and dissatisfaction. Fortunately, I learnt this before it was too late. As youngsters we are always on the go, with multiple food options and cab services at our fingertips, we have turned into a generation of lethargic dependents. I think this is one transformation that took me most time and I am still not there. But I genuinely try each day.

Having stayed away from home during graduation years, I developed the most erratic eating, sleeping and activity patterns. I continue to bear the brunt of the same and I have to take double the efforts to undo the wrong I have put my body through. Home cooked meals and regular exercise are slowly helping me get back to my natural health. I can't overemphasize the role exercise has played in making me active, focused and stronger. (An article on "Life lessons learnt on the running track" coming soon)

4. Feel and express gratitude

This is one of the easiest things to do but goes a long way in developing positive relationships at work and otherwise. I have been blessed to be surrounded by people who appreciate me and are grateful for the smallest efforts I take.

I believe that feeling and expressing gratitude works during the highs and the lows of life. During the highs (for example, a successful presentation at work), it keeps you grounded by making you realize that you are not the only one responsible for the success and that you have a list of people to thank. I have learnt to list down the names of people who are responsible for even the smallest of my achievements and in some way thank them for their contribution. During the lows (for example, a loss in business), gratitude helps you count the blessings that are bestowed upon you in the form of your partner, children, good health etc.

5. Seek calm - slow down

"Fast paced" is the trend and it is here to stay. Very often we all find ourselves chasing deadlines at work and deadlines we set for ourselves. Meditation is the second most difficult transformation I have undergone and I am so glad I went for it. My parents have always tried to reason with me to meditate, however, it was only self realization that convinced me.

I always looked at it as a TASK to be dreaded. I couldn't picture myself sitting at a place, eyes closed, focusing on nothing but my breathing until one fine day I found myself doing exactly that under a stressful situation. I haven't stopped taking out 10 minutes each morning and night to slow down since that day.

6. Read your way to glory

I travel to and from work for almost 3 and a half hours daily out of which I find at least 1 hour to read comfortably. I prefer paper backs and I am very nostalgic when it comes to my books. Currently I am reading Indian mythology from different perspectives. In general, stories about lives of people interest me the most and I have often found myself lost in their stories.

Articles, thought leaderships, self help books, fiction and autobiographies, all these reading materials have their own special place and play an important role in shaping the reader's intellect. Honestly it is a habit that enhances your creativity, boosts your writing & verbal skills and introduces you to a universe of vocabulary which in turn helps you communicate better.

7. Pen down

To turn dreams into realities, write them down

The power of writing is underestimated and that is why I want to emphasize on it. Writing a daily journal clears your mind, helps you understand your expectations from life and yourself, assess your progress against your goals and helps you reach them. As a school student, I had developed the habit of writing daily journals but I drifted away from it as I entered college. I got back into the habit of writing journals since I have started working and it has helped me a lot. The best thing is you can write in the language of your choice, on a laptop or a paper diary.

Personally, I track my food patterns, activity patterns, I list down 3 things to be grateful for everyday, 2 new things I learnt at work (It could be something very easy or complicated), new ideas to be implemented over the weekend (this article is an outcome of one such journal) and accounts (basically, the amount of money spent on food and shopping). This gives me a clear picture of my progress and what efforts I need to take to get better.

This article is especially dedicated to my friends from college who have entered a new phase of life, that of a working youngster. All these habits take time to develop and no matter how hard you try, there will always be a day when you may miss out on many things. However, in the long run these small habits make a big difference and the beginning of the career is the best time to develop these. I hope you find this useful and do let me know your feedback.