Balance - Take More Time for Yourself!

Most of us are busier than ever. Our lives are full of things to do, places to go, people to meet. All of this in the name of "getting ahead." But there comes a time when we need to question "is this really success?" nnAsk most people what they're looking for, and chances are you'll hear things like: "inner peace, balance, a chance to relax, and an opportunity to smell the roses." In short, the antithesis to the hectic lifestyle most people seem to be living. As author Stuart Wilde puts it, "life was never meant to be a struggle." nnWe need to form a new definition for success, one that includes more balance, more time to be with those we love, more time for play, and more time to nurture ourselves. The paradox is that the reason most of us work long and hard is so we can relax, play, and have more time for our loved ones. Yet the more time we spend working, the less time we have to enjoy the other aspects of our lives.nnFew people, on their deathbed, have ever said, "I wish I'd spent more time at the office!" So why do so many of us "work" our lives away and busy ourselves to death? In a word, fear! The culprit again is the protective mind, the ego striving for safety, security, and making certain we have "enough". nnCertainly finances and your career are important, but not at the expense of your health, your inner peace, your family and enjoying your life. It takes courage to let go of our old struggle habits and create ways to leverage ourselves and delegate many of our tasks. It takes courage to re-examine our values and make our "self", our loved ones and our careers equal priorities. It takes courage to take more time for yourself and maintain true equilibrium in your life. nnEXERCISE: nList your values. If you didn't have to work, how would you spend your time? In order to have more time for yourself, how can you leverage yourself? (i.e. earn money while you sleep). To whom can you delegate some of your time-consuming tasks? (i.e. letting someone else clean the house or mow the lawn can add years to your life and life to your years)!nnToday adjust your schedule for the next month by designating specific times you take for yourself. Block out these times first. Consider them appointments and keep them as you would any other. nnnDeclaration:nI take time for myself because "I" am a priority in my life.nn