B•A•L•A•N•C•E

Written by KeAndrea Anderson

The balance between work and personal life is an objective that many want to achieve. Although we often face detours in this road of life, the art of successful navigation, i.e., planning, can help balance your life and allow for a much smoother ride.

Achieving our dreams requires both effort and dedication, but that is only possible if you first learn to enjoy life! There is a much-needed balance that must be scheduled into our lives. Let’s face it: as wives, mothers, business owners, chauffeurs, cooks, employees, on and on, time is limited and precious. Sometimes we need to face the reality that it’s become necessary to plan every detail and project, even the project of life!

The first step in achieving balance is to be aware of your priorities to date. If you work long hours, focus daily on the kids, take care of everyone and everything else, it’s often easy to take care of yourself last. Learning to add YOU to your priorities is essential. Plan a date with yourself, spend a day at the spa, curl up with a good book, window shop, but learn to prioritize yourself. You can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself first. Plan yourself as a priority.

It is crucial to define how you use the most critical resource, the gift of time.

For example, suppose you are not organized in your work. Lack of planning can cause you to waste time on unnecessary activities, leaving little time to take care of the essential tasks. This lack of planning forces you to work longer hours to complete the critical duties that could advance your career.

Determine those things that are urgent versus unnecessary.

Focus your energy and complete the more important tasks at the beginning of your day, and you will find your day to be much more productive.

Reflect on your work/play rate.

Being under constant stress and pressure because of an “all work/no play” mentality will result in terrible sleep and eating habits and begin to affect your health. Take a minute to reflect, and if this is your case, take action. Enjoy family more, take more me time, or enjoy a nice glass of champagne, but plan a balance.

Learn to breathe in and out, smell the roses again, spend time resting, relaxing your mind, or any activity that’s not work-related. Did you know doing something so simple helps you recharge and refresh? Plan to be present and in-the-moment.

Consider going back to basics.

Remember your essence, what you are working for, what you formed a family for, why you love your partner and remember your life purpose. Keeping these things in mind will allow you to resume your dreams and renew your spirit.

Last but not least, buy a cute planner!

While some people prefer modern technology, such as cell phone apps, to plan and organize their lives, it’s always a good idea to have a hard copy backup. Getting back to basics and using pen and paper in your cute little planner can also make it easier to jot down your thoughts again, to plan fun getaways again, to remember the work project you have to do. You can get planners in purse sizes, briefcase sizes, all colors, designer prints, even ones to match your mood or even your shoes!

KeAndrea Anderson, also known as The Startup Strategist, is a global project manager helping entrepreneurs launch and scale healthcare businesses all over the US, owner of Cami Jolie, an aesthetic wellness spa in Louisiana, and a proud mother of 5.