Drive Your Career: Healthy Balance

Our team discusses work/life balance everyday.  If you love what you do, work and life are one and cannot be separated. To achieve an even distribution of weight as it relates to business and your personal life is an unrealistic goal. The scale is in constant motion.

If there is anything I have learned over my lifetime, it is that I have to define my own path for a healthy life balance. Most of the time, the input I receive from others on suggestions for how to run my life are wrong. I will not suggest here how to run your life, but here are a few considerations that have helped me manage mine.  

There are 24 hours in a day. In those hours, how will you feed your mind, body and spirit to ensure you are in a healthy growth state? 

1.    Do not be held hostage by a job that is making you sick.  Find work that will help you continue on a lifelong path of self-actualization. Most working hours of your day should be uplifting and positive. If your daily work doesn’t satiate you, it is time to evaluate where you should spend your time. I have seen high earning individuals leave big roles to work for a philanthropic organization or open a tea room. With planning and lifestyle changes, you can make moves. Where you work is ultimately a choice.

2.    Look closely at with whom you are choosing to spend your time.  The people should also be charging your batteries, not depleting them. This includes your boss, your team, and everyone in your personal life.  There is a difference between those who you can help and those that are constantly looking for others to solve their challenges.

3.    Define your goals and visit them every single day.  Keep clear focus on what life you want, evaluate your day, and ensure every task is mapping directly towards your goals.  I don’t run with more than three clear goals at any given time, but each requires substantial work.

4.    Say NO.  Limit all commitments and distractions outside these goals. Distractions derail your path to your goals. Identify which commitments are moving you towards your goals and which are white noise. We cannot be everything to everyone, figure out your priority. 

5.    Your daily routine must include care for your physical state. Saying you don’t have time is an excuse at minimum, and at worst case a recipe for disaster. Stress, causing elevated cortisol levels, is known to directly contribute to a variety of health concerns. Physical care is critical. 

6.    Spirituality is as individual as it comes, find your path. Those who have it have an incredible foundational tool to use to endure life’s battles. Do you recognize a higher power and understand there are times you do not have control?  In these moments, are you able to let go? 

7.    Find time to be alone without being lonely, in whatever form that takes. Where is your place to quiet your mind? I find serenity by the water, allowing myself to realize how small I am in this world. Meditate, pray, read, listen to nature, whatever appropriate outlet resonates with you, your mind needs rest.

I am no stranger to the negative consequences of imbalance. I have a family and work I cherish, and when I put myself last on the list of priority, my health suffers.  I work with executives globally and there is a universal truth. When one is dedicated to career, the hours and expectations are high. The reality is, every individual in the world has to drive their own internal balance.

I know in my heart I am a better wife, parent, and friend based on the work I do daily and by those I have around me. If you are in a career where you believe in the mission and it aligns with your individual passion, your focus will be there most of the day. If you reflect and you are missing your balance, be bold and make changes now.  Ideally, the positive energy you receive from your work fuels every other aspect of your life.