subject: Time Management Tips - 3 Guidelines To Create Your Ideal Personal Balance [print this page] Time management tips might sound like something restrictive, but you can use them to expand your options considerably. Here's a fresh approach to creating balance in your life. And it is an approach that frees you in ways you never dreamed possible.
Imagine how your life will change if you regularly participate in every essential aspect of your life! You will feel safe, alert, and open, when you live in balance. Life feels welcoming. You actually look forward to entering into even busy days, because you feel in positive control.
Compare that to how you feel when you move out of balance. You feel edgy, and little things set you off. You may feel demoralized, as well. After a day of running to catch up, you're too depleted to enjoy your connections. And tomorrow might be the same, or even worse!
What are your options? Trying to duplicate someone else's schedule can't work, because the elements of your life are unique. But using the following 3 guidelines can help you bring more balance into your day.
3 Tips to Create Your Unique Personal Balance System
1. Your balance is unique to you.
Balance arises from your core. First, envision yourself walking, dancing or running barefoot on soft grass. Make this as vivid as possible. Sense the ease that you feel. Next, imagine trying to do the same thing, but while trying to follow guidance shouted by onlookers. Which do you find easier?
In the same way, achieving balance between your wants, your needs and daily demands is an inside job. You alone can determine if your choices from morning to night create inner harmony or dissonance.
So, your first step to create balance is to allow others' voices to soften to a whisper. The all-important next step is to listen to your own inner signals, and to trust them. Initially, this may take some courage, because it is a risk that shifts the responsibility of your life to you alone. But this is precisely why it will revitalize your life!
2. Your personal balance can vary from day to day.
Pie charts will be of no use to you here. And you will discover that it is not realistic to expect yourself to be uniformly productive, from one day to the next. In fact, the balance of your time choices might shift dramatically, depending on what rears its head today. You can be just as successful, if not more, by exercising flexibility than by following a rigid schedule.
Nimbleness, after all, is half of balance. So long as you don't lose sight of one set of needs when other demands take center stage, your flexibility will provide you with a far richer range of options.
Remember, your balance won't match anyone else's. Not even your own from last week. And that's perfectly fine. You will feel yourself flow when you are in tune with yourself. Remember that the more you look within, the easier it becomes to clarify your priorities. Notice how much simpler it becomes to decide what stays in your busy day, and what needs to go.
3. Catching your balance counts as balance.
Do you become discouraged when you overextend? Let yourself become quiet, and feel the space inside you. Now, take a step beyond simply listening to your inner voice. Initiate an ongoing, friendly conversation with yourself. Bring all of your caring, patience and dedication to supporting yourself. Affirm your ability to get back on track.
And, what about those times when you feel so stretched you think you'll snap? Be extra gentle with yourself. No scolding necessary. Listen to your heart to learn what you need. Then provide it, as soon as you can. Your actions will speak volumes and create self-trust.
The key to balance is to trust that you will learn and grow. Like a baby learning to walk, you always get back up. And consistency of effort builds strength, confidence, and grace.
So what will you do right now to bring more balance into your day?
