by Sandee Moore

Created on: May 05, 2010

The definition of a successful work-life balance begins with the ability to maintain a healthy equilibrium between our careers and all the other important facets of our lives.  It requires an understanding of where our priorities lie, a keen sense of what makes us happy, setting boundaries in certain areas and having a solid commitment to living our best life possible.  It is a challenge that takes hard work and dedication to achieve, but one that in the end will be well worth the trouble.

Determining where your priorities lie is the first step to finding a good work-life balance.  Today with the economic constraints facing many families, our jobs often take precedence over many other areas.  This is certainly understandable, but not always acceptable.  A career, as important as it may be, should not be the defining aspect of who you are.  Different jobs come with different levels of responsibility and the choice is ultimately yours as to how much of it will encompass your life.  If you have a family you obviously want to provide for them in the best way you can, but you also have to want to play a visible and active role in their life.  It is sometimes a double-edged sword, but with the right attitude and plan of attack a happy medium can be found.

Developing a keen sense of what makes you happy as a person is the second step in defining how your work-life ratio will fit into your life.  Happiness is a relative term and does not mean the same thing to all people.  Being able to adequately identify the things that matter most in your life will help you to realize that happiness is a state of mind and a choice we all must make. We all need relationships and interests outside of work that will add a sense of stability and order to our existence.  These are the things that will sustain our souls and lift our spirits while adding pleasure and purpose to all that we do.  They are as essential as air and water and without them we are depriving ourselves of ever reaching our full potential.

Designating boundaries and limitations in certain areas of our lives is the third step to maintaining a healthy and happy work-life balance.  We must be willing to take control of our lives and implement the necessary guidelines to keep things running smoothly.  Having the ability to acknowledge that things will not always go according to plan and sometimes our lives will not be an equally divided pie is key. We must be present and accountable in order to know that some area of our life is suffering.  By identifying the areas that cause us stress we will learn how to say no and impose guidelines that will help us overcome any obstacle that stands in our way.

Deciding to be committed to all the things in our life that matter and make us happy is the final step toward a work-life balance.  It is a decision you make and a lifestyle you choose to live.  Life is all about balance and it is important to realize we all have to come to terms with who we are as a person, what we do for a living and how much we are willing to have that define us.  Nothing done in excess is ever good for you and work is certainly no exception. We must learn to relax, to be happy and cherish each and every moment we have on earth.  Life is a gift and a good work-life balance is the most precious gift you can give yourself.

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