How to have life balance while going after your big career goals

Having a healthy life balance is essential to our happiness and our wellbeing. Yet, it's totally impossible for us to distribute our time equally between all the important things in our lives...especially when we're going after our BIG career goals.
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So, how the hell do we create more balance in our lives?!?

Well, it starts with how you define "life balance." If you view life balance as "how you allocate your time," it's going to be pretty freaking hard to achieve it. But if you view it as "how fulfilled you are in the important areas of your life," it's totally possible!
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Here are some tips to help you have a kickass personal life while you go after your BIG, stretchy career goals:​​

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Create Goals that Create Life Balance
Create goals for your career, relationships, health and wellbeing, personal growth, finances, and whatever else is important to you. Having a plan for how you're going to achieve these goals will help you accomplish your goals with less stress and more ease.

Don't freak out...you don't have to incorporate big stretchy goals with a ginormous plan for every area of your life.

For some goals, it can be as simple as writing down the actions you're committed to practicing so you don't lose focus of that area of your life. For example, your romantic relationship objective could simply be the actions you're committing to practice to create or maintaining a fulfilling relationship…like monthly date nights.

The intention is to keep you present to your "whole" life while you're going after your BIG career goals.
 
Evaluate Your To-do List
Most of us have things on our calendar and to-do lists that are not in alignment with our goals. Pay attention to what you can say 'no' to that's not important, fun, or enjoyable.

It's okay to delegate the things that take a lot of your time or energy, or the stuff you don't enjoy doing... in fact, it's smart!

A few years ago, I had a client who was spending a ton of time doing admin work that she was resistant to paying someone else to do. It wasn't until I pointed out how much money she was losing by not using that time to see clients that she realized the importance of delegating.

Where's your time and energy best spent? Take time to honestly evaluate what skills you want to learn and which make more sense to have someone else do for you. There are a ton of experts out there to help you in the areas where you aren't skilled or don't enjoy doing.
 
Be intentional with your time
It's easy to get distracted when you don't have a plan in place, which is why I'm a big fan of planning your day the night before.

Each day, review your calendar and decide what your top three priorities are and what other actions (like phone calls, emails, and simple tasks) you intend to accomplish. Please be realistic. If you have a full day of appointments, don't commit to a bunch of other time-consuming tasks.

Waking up with a game plan for your day will prevent reactive decisions.
 
Celebrate your Achievements
When was the last time you took the time to acknowledge, let alone celebrate your accomplishments? So many of us overlook the things we accomplish because we're so focused on the future and our next goal.

Take the time to acknowledge your achievements from small successes, like getting up early and going to the gym, to big achievements, like enrolling a new client. It'll help build your confidence and happiness, and it'll add fuel to your motivation!

Do yourself a favor and take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments and successes. Even the little ones deserve to be celebrated! 
 
Gratitude
While you go after those BIG, stretchy goals, take time to be grateful for what you already have. Having a regular practice where you acknowledge and celebrate the good you have in your life will help you increase your happiness and fulfillment.
 
Health and wellbeing
Our health and wellbeing affects the quality of our lives and the quality of our work. You cannot show up as your best self if you're not taking care of yourself, so please make your wellbeing your number one priority. Just like the flight attendants say: "Put your oxygen mask on first!"

We are much happier, more productive, and a heck of a lot more fun to be around when we take care of ourselves.
 
Unplug from Work
I know it can be easier said than done, but practice disconnecting from work so you can focus on your personal needs. Commit to a time when you will stop working each night and take time off on the weekends to enjoy your life.

Take this time to focus on self-care...read a book, connect with your significant other, chat with a friend, hang with your kiddos, or whatever will support you in recharging.
 
Relationships
Make time for the important relationships in your life. I'm talking quality time and connection, not just sitting in front of the TV.

Take the time to really connect with your family and friends. Plan a date with your significant other, go for a walk with a friend, play a game with your kiddos. We are happier and more fulfilled when we have love and connection in our lives.

Positive Community
Surround yourself with positive, supportive, happy people whenever you can! Limit the time you spend with energy suckers. You know who I'm talking about - the complainers, people with negative attitudes...anyone who depletes your energy. You may not be able to avoid them all the time, but do what you can to reduce the time you spend with them as much as possible.
 
Fun and laughter
I'm intentional about incorporating fun and laughter into everything I do. What can you do to make each area of your life more fun and enjoyable?

Build friendships with the people you regularly see at the gym. Have a monthly happy hour with your co-workers. Listen to fun music while you work. Find ways to incorporate fun and laughter into everything you do!
 
When we aren't fulfilled in our personal lives, it takes more energy to achieve our career goals. AND you deserve to enjoy your life WHILE creating a kickass career. After all, why are you working so hard, anyway? Isn't it so you can enjoy living?