5 Great Tips To A Balanced Life

This sponsored post has been sponsored by Sodexo, a global leader in Quality of Life Services. As always, my thoughts on life are my own.

Where there is life, there will be work. And in this day and age, we consider ourselves lucky if we’re able to own the mindset that we “live to work”. But what of those days (or entire careers) where we admit we are working to live?

Glance at any checkout lane magazine or browse a lifestyle blog and you see it. Famous celebrities or bloggers spotlighting a luxury you yearn for. But it isn’t actually the glam goods or exotic locale they flaunt that is enticing you. It’s in the fact that these mysterious individuals have something we all want most…time.

Time to sit on a tarmac. Time to sip coffee on a terrace. Time to jump on a trampoline in the tropics. Heck…time to smile! And better yet? A reason to smile.

In this day and age of digital convenience, we’ve actually lost our greatest asset to finding better balance to our lives. We’ve lost our sense of time. We are pressed to work more hours, answer more emails, and schedule more activities for the kids.

While we all need to tweak our lives to how they will work and flow best. Here are a few things that made the biggest difference in my home, to finding a balance to work and life.

Find your passion.

This is the big one. No matter what you do, who you are, or how you need/have/or want to spend your days. Everyone has a passion they long to pursue. And everyone has a talent or temperament that enables them to do something better, that someone else cannot. Fulfill that personal satisfaction, and you’ll be amazed how your life begins to find its equilibrium.

Disconnect the tech.

Want to know the best way to reconnect with your sense of self? Then turn off the technology. One of the hardest, yet best things I’ve ever done, was cut the cable and the internet in our home. We’ve gone about six weeks now sans digital distractions. To which I’ll just quote my daughter… “We sure get a lot more done now!”

Get moving…and take that break!

Prior to my work-at-home career, I worked as a clerk for a county probate court. Part of which, was participating in an employee health committee to ensure we solved two of the biggest issues. That workers took their break…and that they got moving! As a UAW Officer, I knew how hard we fought for workplace regulations. And healthy eating will only go so far. So get out from behind the desk. And remember…if true happiness were stationary we’d all have found it by now.

Plan accordingly.

I have to admit to a slight obsession with lists. And I love to plan. But I didn’t find a better balance in my work and life until I realized my life will simply not fit in one book. Now I have two planners actually. One that utilizes my Work and personal needs. And another that utilizes my Life and family needs. When split in this manner, I can better evaluate priorities and find that balance between the two.

It takes a village…so outsource it!

Last but not least. Don’t be afraid to realize you don’t have to do all and be all. The best way to find time, is to allow yourself to have it. When days get busy, I outsource as much as I possibly can. I have dairy and produce delivered and it saves my sanity and budget. Another Mom I know employed a bi-weekly maid to help keep up on the laundry and deep cleaning chores. And if you wouldn’t turn away room service, don’t let anyone scoff at your chinese take-out!

In the end, I found a better balance by doing what I needed most. I followed my passion. I reconnected with downtime. I stopped being afraid to take a break or miss an email. I drank more water and got active. Which all helped me plan better and want to get out more. And I found the best ways to help me stay on track.

Now, what do you think? Will these tips help you find a better work and life balance? We’d love hearing from you below or on Twitter. And Facebook is always a great way to connect!