BALANCE Work + Life = Balance

Balance bal·ance – noun: 1) a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc. 1) a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc. 2) something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise. 2) something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise. 3) mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc. 3) mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc. 4) a state of bodily equilibrium. 4) a state of bodily equilibrium. 5) an instrument for determining weight 5) an instrument for determining weight

Why we need balance To do what we do effectively To do what we do effectively To be productive To be productive To have good health and wellness To have good health and wellness Because it affects those around us Because it affects those around us To live a fulfilling life To live a fulfilling life

Do you have balance? Are your days too crazy? Are your days too crazy? How do you handle stress? How do you handle stress? Do you have an outlet? Do you have an outlet? How do you handle change and conflict? How do you handle change and conflict? How do others see you? How do others see you?

Reality Check What type of personality are you? Can you be all you want to be?

Five Tips To Balance Figure out what is important Figure out what is important Drop unnecessary activities Drop unnecessary activities Protect your private time Protect your private time Accept help to balance your life Accept help to balance your life Plan fun and relaxation Plan fun and relaxation

Tip #1: Figure Out What is Important Most Common Rankings ChildrenSpouse Satisfying Career Religion/SpiritualHealthSportsArtHobbies

Michelle’s Rankings Kids/HusbandReligion/Spiritual Successful Career Healthy Exercise Community Service/Volunteering Tip #1: Figure Out What is Important

Tip #2: Drop Unnecessary Activities Video/Computer Games Video/Computer Games Television Television Cleaning Cleaning Celebrity Magazines Celebrity Magazines

Tip #3: Protect Your Private Time Carve out hours to contribute to yourself and others. Carve out hours to contribute to yourself and others. Guard this time fervently and don’t let work or others intrude. Guard this time fervently and don’t let work or others intrude. Few people are so important that you need your phone on all the time. Few people are so important that you need your phone on all the time. Your family and you are worth it. Your family and you are worth it.

Tip #4: Accept Help To Balance Your Life Get a babysitter, rely on your spouse, tag- team with your friends. Get a babysitter, rely on your spouse, tag- team with your friends. Even one hour can make a world of difference to your sanity Even one hour can make a world of difference to your sanity Get away from working parents guilt… Get away from working parents guilt…

Tip #5: Plan Fun and Relaxation Put it on your calendar Put it on your calendar Weekly/Daily activities Weekly/Daily activities Book Clubs, Date Nights Book Clubs, Date Nights If you believe you are worth it, plan it If you believe you are worth it, plan it Vacation Time – Use it! Vacation Time – Use it!

Evaluate How will you know how you are you doing? How will you know how you are you doing? Ask yourself questions Ask yourself questions Was I balanced this week? Was I balanced this week? Did I give enough to all of the things I value? Did I give enough to all of the things I value? How can I fix things or replicate the week? How can I fix things or replicate the week? Change your thinking one step at a time. Change your thinking one step at a time.

Tips Put it on your calendar – it usually gets done Put it on your calendar – it usually gets done Post reminders of what is important near your work space Post reminders of what is important near your work space Keep a notebook by your phone. Keep a notebook by your phone. Remember, one goal at a time. Remember, one goal at a time. Bring your meal to work Bring your meal to work

Tips Get your colleagues, husband, friends involved and on board with work outs. Get your colleagues, husband, friends involved and on board with work outs. Schedule your exercise Schedule your exercise Drivers – Keep a work out bag in the trunk of your car. Drivers – Keep a work out bag in the trunk of your car. When you travel, bring your exercise clothes – Every trip! When you travel, bring your exercise clothes – Every trip!

And More Tips Make your plate colorful Make your plate colorful Make dinner for your family Make dinner for your family Share responsibilities Share responsibilities At the end of each day write your “to do” list for the next day At the end of each day write your “to do” list for the next day Keep a routine Keep a routine Hang out with the cool kids Hang out with the cool kids