The Secret To Achieve Life Balance
Angela Gaffney
Executive Coach Empowering People & Organizations | Transformational Leader | Board Facilitator | Keynote Speaker
It feels odd to use the word “balance” when talking about life. The picture that comes to mind is a balanced scale, or teeter-totter, but the reality is that life events, activities, and responsibilities aren’t always going to be balanced evenly as a teeter-totter would be. Creating life balance is about being present, and feeling fulfilled in all areas of life. When you’re able to achieve fulfillment, you’ll feel emotionally and physically balanced and live life in a positive, passionate way.
The key to creating fulfillment in life is to follow some very simple rules:
- Breathe
Breathing is free, portable and life-changing. Stop what you’re doing. Place both feet flat on the floor, relax your shoulders, close your eyes and place one hand on your belly while the other rests on your lap. Now use your nose to inhale, filling every area of your belly full of air. Pause at the top of the inhalation and then exhale through the mouth. Repeat often.
- Be Present
When we take things one step at a time, and focus on the task at hand we are more productive and less stressed overall. Break the multi-tasking cycle and begin accomplishing one “to-do” at a time. This provides us space to think clearly, be direct about our goals for the day, and structure accordingly to achieve them.
- Positive Affirmation
Researchers believe we have 60,000 thoughts a day and 80% of them are negative! We’re filling our brains with self-limiting beliefs when we allow negative thoughts and self-talk to exist in life. This is a sure-fire way to feel unfulfilled and out of balance in life.
Start replacing the negative chatter with a positive affirmation. When you hear the negative chatter, silently say “there’s no space in my life for this to exist” and replace the negative thoughts with a positive affirmation. An affirmation is an “I AM” statement such as “I AM CAPABLE” or “I AM CONFIDENT” or “I AM WORTHY” to support you in health and happiness. Use powerful words that speak to you and carry meaning in your life.
- Release Control
There’s no need to fret about the decisions another person makes; nor the reaction a person may have to the choices you make in life. You can only control the choices you make and the responses you have in this life.
Begin to release control of other’s decisions and responses by giving them permission to respond however they need to respond. This can be done silently, or communicated directly to the person in a caring, loving way. This will free you up to experience more fulfillment and joy in your own life.
- Live a life of Gratitude
The practice of gratitude sheds new light on a situation, affirms the positive in your life, and helps you celebrate all that is good. Take time every day to express gratitude for the big and small things in your life. Write down 5-10 things you’re grateful for each morning upon waking, and again at night before going to sleep.
We invite you to access additional resources and connect with us at www.AngelaGaffney.com .