It seems like something I have the most trouble with is finding balance in my life. When I start a new project at work or get a new assignment for class, I get completely fixated on the task at hand to the point that it’s all I think about and work on. While this gets stuff done, it causes everything else I have to be accountable for in life to go by the wayside. Sometimes it’s hard to give everything in life 110 percent simultaneously.
Everyone has difficulty finding balance in their hectic lives. And sometimes feelings of guilt can surface as a result of neglecting other responsibilities when balance is hard to achieve. But how can you find balance when you have a million things to take care of?
Here are four tips to finding balance.
Use a Calendar
By creating a schedule, you can identify everything you have to do. Put on your calendar major deadlines for work and school and major events in your friends and families lives. Then schedule time around those things for the people who are most important to you. Set up a date night with your boyfriend or girlfriend on Friday after your big presentation at work or schedule a movie night with your friends on the Wednesday you turn in a term paper. Using a calendar can really help you schedule your time and find balance between all your responsibilities.
Leave Your Work at the Office
For me, one of the keys to finding balance in my life is trying to not bring my work home. The internship I have has been taking up a significant amount of my time because I can do a lot of work from home because the company utilizes an online project management system called 5pm. As a result, I spend a lot of time checking the website and working on projects after normal business hours. I tend work a lot when my boyfriend comes over and we are trying to spend time together. I have to remember that “our time” is “our time” and not let work get in the way. When you are out of the office and are spending time with those you care about, shut off your computer, and turn off your phone. You spent the whole day working on “work stuff,” balance it out by spending time with those who are most important to you while you are at home.
Remember What Is Most Important
Projects come and go. And chances are you will bounce around between a few different jobs before you retire. But the one consistent in your life are the people in it. Remember that when you are spending more time than you should on work or school. Make your relationships a priority and spend as much time with those you love as you do on school or work.
Don’t Forget “Me Time”
While you are juggling all the responsibilities you have, don’t forget to make time for yourself to do what it is you love. Whether your you time involves spending time with the family or going to the beach by yourself to unwind, make sure you have time to take care of yourself and fulfill your needs.
By following these four tips, hopefully you can find balance in your life. And when you have many responsibilities to juggle, balance is the key to being able to juggle it all.
