From Busy to Balanced: How I Slowed Down and Organised My Life

I know firsthand how easy it is to feel like your life is spinning out of control when you have a hectic work schedule. It's challenging to get your personal life in order when your days are loaded with tasks, emails, meetings, and deadlines.

Nevertheless, I realised over time that in order to be genuinely happy and content, I needed to slow down and take charge of my life.

These are some of the things I did to take things more slowly and get my private and professional lives in order:

One of the first things I did was to establish a system of priorities for completing my work. The first thing I did was to create a list of all the tasks, both professional and personal, that needed to be completed. Finally, I evaluated the significance and timeliness of each item. Thanks to this strategy, I was able to prioritise my work and get the things done that were most critical.

Task prioritisation is crucial since it allows you to focus your attention on the most important things. It's easy to become confused in the routine of daily life, yet failing to set priorities may lead to a lack of progress on what actually matters.

At work, for instance, I've begun prioritising my tasks by defining daily objectives and making sure the most pressing ones are done first. As a result, I was able to do more in less time and feel less stressed. I also began to prioritise my personal life by writing down everything I had to accomplish and ranking it in terms of importance and urgency. This allowed me to give attention to the things that were really important to me, including my family members and my wellbeing.

Second, I learned the importance of incorporating time for hobbies into my calendar alongside professional responsibilities. Before, I had not been very good at making time in my schedule for things like physical activity, personal interests, and social interactions. This helped me achieve a better work-life balance and boost my sense of accomplishment.

Setting aside time on the calendar for your own pursuits might free you up to focus on what really matters. When you're busy with work and other commitments, it can be easy to neglect your personal life. But if you make time in your schedule for things you like doing, you're showing that you value yourself and your well-being.

To give you an example, I have been regularly including exercise in my schedule. I would arrange an hour each week for yoga and dancing. Because of this, I was able to maintain my daily exercise routine and have more sustained energy throughout the day. As an added bonus, I've begun to include time in my schedule to engage in activities like writing and reading. Taking part in these things allowed me to relax and do something I really liked.

In addition, I learned the importance of delegating work after realising I couldn't do everything on my own. In my professional and personal life, I began handing off responsibilities to others. Because of this, I was able to put my efforts where they would do the most good, while also providing others with a chance to learn and contribute.

In order to make the most of the knowledge and experience of others, it is crucial to learn how to delegate tasks effectively. Your productivity and effectiveness may suffer when you try to handle everything on your own. On the other hand, if you let others take on some of your responsibilities, they can gain experience while you focus on your strengths.

At work, for instance, I've just begun handing over responsibilities to other team members. I was able to determine their areas of expertise, and then assign them projects based on their abilities. I was able to devote more time to other projects and invest in the growth of my team members by delegating some of their work to them. I even began doing this on a personal level. For example, I asked my partner to help with grocery shopping or cooking dinner. Because of this, I was able to put my energy where it would do the most good and have fun doing what I like doing most.

Fourth, I had to learn to say "no," which was a huge step in regaining control of my life and allowing me to stop feeling so overwhelmed. I used to say "yes" to everything, which resulted in exhaustion and a lack of satisfaction in my life. But over time, I came to understand the importance of setting boundaries and prioritising my time.

I learned to say "no" to requests that didn't align with my goals or values, or that would take up too much of my time and energy. By doing this, I was able to focus on the things that were truly important to me, and say "yes" to opportunities that would bring me joy and fulfillment. Learning to say "no" was a difficult but necessary step in slowing down and creating a more balanced life.

Lastly, I came to understand the importance of taking breaks. When you're constantly on the go, it can be easy to forget to take a step back and recharge. Taking pauses, however, is essential for maintaining mental and physical health and lowering stress levels. For example, at work, I started taking short breaks throughout the day to stretch, or chat with a colleague. By doing this, I was able to reduce my stress levels and return to work feeling more refreshed and focused.

In my personal life, I also started taking breaks. If I wanted to relax, I may go on a day trip with friends or arrange a weekend break with my partner. It was only by pausing my hectic schedule long enough to rest and rejuvenate that I was able to return to it feeling refreshed and content.

In conclusion, if you want to be genuinely happy and content, you need to take the time to slow down and organise your professional and personal life. By prioritising tasks, scheduling time for personal activities, delegating tasks, and taking breaks, you can regain control of your life and create a better work-life balance. Remember, it's important to take care of yourself and prioritise your well-being, both at work and in your personal life.

Article first published in my profile in?Medium