Want work-life balance? Here's 1 essential exercise you need to do today.

"Happiness is an inside job." - William A. Ward

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Hi there,

How was your last week?

I spent mine in Bulgaria for a keynote on why true productivity isn't about doing more and what actually works.

By the way, can you believe 2025 is just 58 days away?

Soon, I'll be hosting?a free goal-setting masterclass?to help you make the coming year both productive and fulfilling. Look out for the dates next Monday!

Now, let me ask - are you still searching for work-life balance?

Let me share a quick story.

In his 60s, Stamatis Moraitis was diagnosed with lung cancer and given six months to live.?

Instead of treatment, he returned to his home island of Ikaria, Greece, to enjoy his final days with loved ones.

At first, he rested, sipped wine with friends, and laughed, figuring, "Why not go out happy?"

But as the months passed, he grew stronger.?

He planted a garden, tended a vineyard, and produced 1,500 liters of wine every year.?

Months turned into years, years into decades.?Stamatis lived to 102.?

In an interview, he once said,?"I almost forgot to die."?

Why am I sharing this?

Because we treat work-life balance as if work and life are separate.

But what if work actually brings us back to life?

the why

Have you ever wondered why the wealthiest people in the world keep working? With all the money they have, they could be living a dream?work-life balance.

Or why 1 in 3 retirees feels depressed, despite all the free time? In fact,?1 in 6?even considers returning to work.

Instead of suppressing work, maybe we should embrace it differently.

My friend?Roberto Ferraro?calls it "work-life integration."

I simply call it?balance.

the how

Balance isn't about a perfectly structured day of meditation, healthy meals, five hours of work, family time, a book before bed, and sleep by 11pm.

Balance is personal and ever-changing, adjusting with the choices and trade-offs we're willing to make.

Balance is dynamic.?It's an?ongoing balancing act.?And work is part of it.?

True balance means recognizing when you're nearing a tipping point. Too much work leads to burnout, no work leads to depression.

You can't find balance?if you haven't defined?it for yourself.

Here're two definitions of balance from my clients (names changed for privacy):

• Maria works for a large corporate, has a loving partner, and no kids. She's close to her parents, although they live abroad. She values the stability of her role but wants time for a passion project, without overwhelming hours.

• Kaitlin works for a local mid-sized company and has a clear purpose at work. For her, balance means setting boundaries around work hours so she can enjoy daily time with her husband and kids.

result

When you view work as part of your balance, you'll start enjoying it more.?Studies show happy hormones boost productivity by at least 12%.?

You'll regain the time you need to complete your balance with the rest.

your play of the week

Define your balance????

Try this exercise:

1. Draw a reversed bell curve.
2. List 1-5 ways work can tip your balance right.
3. List 1-5 ways work can tip it left.
4. List 1-5 indicators that show you're living your balance.

Use this as a guide to review your calendar and make more balanced choices.

Remember, productivity is a game of decisions.

If you found this edition helpful, forward it to a friend or a colleague who's looking for balance. And grab The Good Busy Playbooks with my 5-minute video guides.

Thank you for reading?????

Enjoy getting good busy!

See you next Monday,

Kate

P.S. Running out of time for what matters to you at & after work??

Here's how I can help:?

• End bad busyness - Join The Good Busy online course?| Gain 30% more time for family, fun, and personal goals! People will want to know your secret!
• Free up 30% of your schedule - Partner with me for 1:1 coaching or team workshop?| Prevent burnout, achieve results with less time and effort!

• Invite me to speak at your next event?| Inspire your audience to choose impactful work over bad busy work!?DM me!