Things To Think About When Your Work-Life Balance Is Out Of Wack

[caption id="attachment_822207" align="aligncenter" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/A pretty african american business woman at her company[/caption] Unless you live in a remote area, completely surrounded by nature (and maybe some meditating monks), then you’re bound to get sucked into the idea that life is all about working, making money, earning status, and climbing professional ranks. When everybody else around you believes that, and your entire life is geared towards that idea, it becomes a vortex you get sucked into. In some ways, humans never learn; the happiest people on the planet have a good work/life balance, and yet, most people think they can beat the system, throw that balance off, and somehow be happier. It never works, so stop trying to cheat the system. Here are healthy thoughts to think, or write down somewhere, for times you’re in need of better work-life balance. [caption id="attachment_716083" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You won’t be here forever

You’re dedicating your limited days to an industry or company that could potentially be around for centuries, but you won’t. And that industry or company, sorry to say it, won’t miss you when you’re gone. But you’ll miss the time you didn’t spend doing things you love.   [caption id="attachment_701581" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

There are successful people who are happy

Did you know that Bill Murray doesn’t even have an agent? He doesn’t like the fuss of it all and the stress of feeling like he has to book something. He has a hotline, and he listens to pitches himself. He calls people back if he’s interested, and doesn’t if he isn’t. He isn’t stressed by the idea of going a long time without work; he only wants to do the work that makes him happy. [caption id="attachment_704428" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Would you trade your loved ones for anything?

If someone told you today you could have your dream job, but it would mean you could never see your loved ones again, would you take it? Of course not. And that, my friend, shows you where your true source of happiness lies. So pay more attention to it.   [caption id="attachment_698662" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shuterstock[/caption]

This industry won’t be around forever

Apps, entertainment, hybrid cars—they’re all respectable and impressive things. But they, like you, won’t be here forever. So they shouldn’t get all of your attention. If you’re religious or even spiritual, then you know your emotional bond with the people you love will exist somewhere forever if you cultivate it. [caption id="attachment_707669" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

If you lose your health, then it’s all for nothing

If you are working hard to enjoy some money or success some day, but your work ends up affecting your health (through excess stress, lack of sleep, etc.) then it was all for nothing. You won’t be able to enjoy what you were working for if you destroy your body along the way. [caption id="attachment_697365" align="alignleft" width="468"] Source: Corbis[/caption]

Personal bonds are hard to repair

If you get off track a little with work, you can always bounce back; if you get off track with your family, romantic partner and friends, you’ll have a very difficult time repairing those bonds.       [caption id="attachment_616018" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Why did you get into this in the first place?

Think about what you do. Let’s say, for example, you work in IT, and you like helping people stay connected through technology. You can also do that by volunteering for a non-profit that raises funds to give cell phones to elderly people living on welfare who don’t get to talk to their family enough. [caption id="attachment_715001" align="alignleft" width="425"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Tomorrow is not guaranteed

This is always important to remember. You may tell yourself, “I’ll travel tomorrow” or “I’ll spend more time with my family tomorrow once I’ve achieved my goals.” Who said tomorrow would be there? Nobody promised that.     [caption id="attachment_611718" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Relaxing helps you work better

Okay here is a thought that the little workaholic in you will like; relaxing a little can give you physical and mental energy to do a better job at your work. Do you want to work 100% of the time, but only at 75% of your mental capacity? Or could you consider working 80% of the time, at 100% mental capacity? [caption id="attachment_710984" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You won’t notice money after a certain point

Money is good for putting a roof over your head, putting food on the table, putting gas in your car, and giving you the peace of mind that you don’t need to worry about having those needs met. A little money for a little indulgence like vacations and nights out is nice, too. Beyond that, you won’t really notice having tons of money. [caption id="attachment_621000" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You can’t work forever

You’ll have to retire one day. You know what else? You could lose your job (gasp!). Don’t you want your friends and family to be there for you if and when that day comes? Don’t you want to have cultivated some hobbies and relationships to enjoy when you retire? [caption id="attachment_706541" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shuttestock[/caption]

Inspiration comes when you least expect it

If you’ve been struggling with how to solve a work-related problem, the answer often isn’t at your computer or even in the office. Going on a hike, reading a book, or doing something that uses under-utilized parts of your brain could help you access the mental tools you need to solve that work problem. [caption id="attachment_717807" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You impress the wrong people

Your colleagues and professional peers will be impressed by your career accomplishments, sure, but they aren’t the ones you go home to at night or spend vacations with. Their love and approval are short-lived, whereas the love and approval of your loved ones are with you where it counts.   [caption id="attachment_620571" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Some things can’t wait

Your friend’s bachelorette party, your child’s recital, your child’s desire for some cuddle time, your partner’s desire for some between-the-sheets time… these things cannot be rescheduled. Conference calls, however, can be rescheduled.     [caption id="attachment_703571" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Are you being grateful?

There is nothing less excusable than failing to be grateful. If you just think, “I need more and I want more to be happy” then you are certainly not stopping to be grateful for what you have, which I bet is a lot.

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