- Build small breaks into your day – one in the morning and one at night. Reserve this time to reflect on your priorities, think about how you want to spend your time, refocus on your goals – or simply relax. (For suggestions on doing this, see “Book Ends“.)
- Be willing to ask for help before you reach a state of overload. Acknowledging where you could use additional support is a huge step in the right direction. (See “How to Ask for Help” for ideas on how to get more comfortable requesting (and accepting) help.)
- Use all of your vacation days. Embrace the rejuvenating power of consecutive days off, and you’ll return to daily life calmer, more resilient and clearer-minded than before.
- Seek out time-stretching options, such as flextime and telecommuting, that can help you reclaim time lost in rush-hour commutes – or simply allow you to spend some key time (say breakfast or after school) with your family.
- Practice saying “no” to requests that steal time from your highest choices. Say no to small things first as a way to get comfortable opting out – then build to the bigger deals. (See “7 Tips to Saying “No”“.)
This was excerpted from “How to Strike a Balance Between Work and Life” which was published in the March 2007 issue of Experience Life.
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