In this topsy turvy world, finding balance is quite a challenge.  An interesting statement from Dr. Kathleen Hall from A Life in Balance  said ”We have overstretched our personal boundaries and forgotten that true happiness comes from living an authentic life fueled with a sense of purpose and balance.” Where is the time we need to manage everything we have to do???  A

Wow!  No wonder you feel that managing all of the things you want, need and have to do is not so easy.  By simplifying your life and finding balance you can weather the storm of this new economy with confidence and greater ease.  Here are 5 things to help you still be productive and successful at work along with keeping your personal life in tact.

Focus on the positive
It’s too easy to spiral into negative thinking while epidemics are breaking out, job losses are at an all time high and foreclosures abound in our neighborhoods.  So to turn it around make a quick list of 5 things that you are thankful for.  You may find yourself getting carried away and your list keeps growing.  As we see what is important in our lives we regain balance.

Simplify
Don’t over commit your personal resources.   Leave some wiggle room for having an off day or the unexpected event needing your attention.
 

Play
Let’s hope you didn’t forget how to do this.  Take a moment to be silly with your kids or do something you enjoy.  A short break from the pressures of work will do wonders for your mental outlook.

Take Care of You
Just 15 minutes of meditation a day can restore the balance you are looking for. 

Just Do It! 
You’ve heard the Napolean Hill quote Eat that Frog! everything else will seem easy after that”  Watch this short video and you’ll be on your way to leaving procrastination behind. Ever wonder why you are so exhausted when you haven’t really done what you need to do.  Just the thought of taking on the task of something you know you have to do can be paralyzing. Procrastination is an energy waster.  Try it, make a list of what you need to do.  Tackle the most difficult one you’ve got first.  Everything after that is a breeze.

Nature in it's perfect state

Summer has a carefree feel to it.  The days are longer, the weather is more pleasant unless you live in Southern California where it is pretty good every day, sorry Cleveland.  The kids are out of school and the rushed schedule of alarm clocks and homework are put on the back burner for the moment.  A welcome reprieve.

One of my business associates popped off an email to me about a month ago and said he wouldn’t be available too much for the rest of the summer because he would be out in nature, hiking, camping and having a great time with his wife and kids.  It made me step back and think “What will the rest of my summer be like?”  Will I still be tied to my laptop putting in long hours and missing out on golden opportunities to spend some quality time with my family?  I opted for the latter.  Realizing that not everything can come to a screeching halt, it really is fine to just step back and seize the stolen moments to sit and play cards with your little boy or girl or take a nature walk or spend a day at the beach, go see an art exhibit or listen to music in the park.  When we are connected to the things of this earth, and I don’t mean all of the things we have accumulated in this life but the closer we get to the ground, the dirt, the origin of where it all began, the more we enhance our well being.  There isn’t a worthy person in your world that doesn’t stand to benefit from you reconnecting with the earth including you!

As groovy as the Metro scene is (I’m a huge fan of NYC, London & Paris) but there is nothing quite like getting outside of the buzz of the city to see stars so thick in the summer sky that you can cut it with a knife.  Enjoy the peace of the early light of day as the birds welcome you.  As the morning glories blossom with a gift to the eyes as if they are there only for you, take a breath.  Be thankful for these gifts that surround us every day but the noise of the world seems to crowd out.   

Meditate.  Be thankful.  As summer comes to a close, we encourage you to take some time to restore your life force with something creative, natural and real.  Connect with friends you haven’t seen in a while.  Break bread with your treasured people.  Do something out of the ordinary with your family.  Taking time to reconnect with the things you love most will amazingly restore your creativity and energy.

September comes soon enough as the school buses are revving up their engines, kids are getting ready to click back into their routines.  2009 is more than half over but as we reach forward in achieving some of the business goals and projections, you will have moments of sunshine to reflect on during those hectic workdays…..IF…..(my grandmother used to say IF is a very big word)……IF you re-connect with the earth and restore your well being.

Live well.
Terry Jetmore, Founder at www.speakcorp.com