Balance in
Challenging Times
Many employees are working more hours than ever - without
even being asked. This is disturbing as work hours started
climbing in the 1950s, reached an average of nine overtime
hours per week in the 1990s, and continue to rise. With
technological advances that allow people to continually
stay connected to their jobs, the true numbers are not
even known.
Taking fewer consecutive vacation days at one time,
leaving an average of three vacation days per employee
unused, and staying connected through technology while
on vacation have all eroded employee's vacation time
and ability to rejuvenate.
With stressors both inside and outside their work environment,
employees need more free time, more self-care, and more
time to play. Instead many are trapped by fear that
their job will be the next to be eliminated. This is
a ripe scenario for insensitive or unethical employers
to use the economy as an excuse to take advantage of
their employees.
Although complete balance may not be realistic, key
indicators are whether you're moving towards balance
or away from balance. Here are some ways to help you
get started.
1. Shift fear to gratitude.
Choose to focus on the 90% that's working instead of
the 10% that's not working and notice how your fear
starts to subside. You may need to eliminate or significantly
reduce the barrage of negative messages you're exposed
to each day. Experiment with not reading any publications,
listening to the TV or radio, or engaging in negative
conversations for several days and notice what a difference
it makes.
2. Know how you spend your
time.
Just like you track money spending to create awareness
and make different choices, do the same with your time.
Track for a week using 15 minute increments. A simple
way to track is a sheet of paper with activities on
the left side and space on the right side to record
tick marks for each 15 minutes spent on an activity.
3. Be more effective.
You can work fewer hours by being more effective. Work
on high priority items first and eliminate what's not
critical or are time wasters. I've found time tracking
often reveals immediate areas where you can increase
your effectiveness. Tim Ferris's book "The 4-Hour
Work Week" provides some great insights on being
more focused and effective.
4. Make conscious choices.
Again, your time tracking will give you some clues.
What doesn't support your values or priorities? Where
are other's coming before your own? Where are you trying
to squeeze in too much? What is causing additional stress?
Start saying good-bye to what doesn't serve you. Learn
to stop and evaluate before saying yes to anything new
- a 24 hour evaluation pause usually works in the beginning.
Learn to say NO. You may feel guilty at first as you
develop your "no" muscle, but with time the
guilt will decrease and your ability to easily say no
will increase.
5. Experiment with small changes.
Over time, small changes can make a significant impact
on your life. Try implementing one small change each
week rather than one huge change and notice the difference
it makes. I love the book "One Small Step Can Change
Your Life: The Kaizen Way" by Robert Maurer.
Know that change is a process that begins with awareness,
leads to knowing the possible choices, but has no value
unless it results in action. Now that you have awareness
and know some of your choices, get into action by taking
one step in the next 48 hours that will move you closer
to balance.
Contact Information:
Nancy Grant
Professional Certified Coach
Founding Compass Coach
www.nancygrantcoaching.com
- business and personal coaching
www.mylifecompass.com/nancyg
- affordable life coaching programs & a rewarding
business opportunity
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