Many entrepreneurs are integrating work and life which works efficiently with fast-paced technology, especially for millennials who are adapting well to this reality. The phrase “work-life integration” is blending what you do professionally and personally in order to make
Thereare several reasons why mastering work-life integration is so essential right now,as well as maintaining personal balance- the kind where you can stand onone foot and not fall down! The balance need not be equal pieces of “the wheelof life” and compromises can be made without sabotaging wellbeing, happy familylife and relationships. Keeping a flexible calendar and writing inexercise-gym time, family time etc. can be helpful in the juggling andmaintaining balance. Taking meaningful time away from work, whether it bea few hours a day, a weekend or vacation can be wonderfully recharging.
It’s important to honor bio-rhythms so that you work when you believe you can perform the best and do personal activities to break up your day. This is one way to integrate work and life so that you remain sane and are able to accomplish (almost)everything you want to do from a personal and professional perspective. Taking“joy” and exercise-stretch breaks throughout the day
Keeping a flexible calendar and scheduling things like going to the gym, writing articles, reading, meetings, research at around the same time each day can be helpful to create habits and have more control over what you’re doing and when.
Whether the problem is too much focus on work or too little, when your work life and your personal life feel out of balance, often times stress, along with its harmful effects, is the result. The good news is that most can take control of stress levels by giving yourself the time to do the things that are most important to you. When life literally is beginning to feel “out of control” or “lopsided” and you feel off-kilter, give yourself the gift of time to restore balance. Consider disconnecting as much as necessary for stress reduction and the restoration of balance.
When an entrepreneur makes the conscious choice to take avacation here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Anticipate having a wonderful time
- If something goes wrong or not according to plan, try to see the humor in it and move on.
- Once you’re settled in and go exploring, allow yourself to “get lost”. ie: don’t have your nose glued to a map.
- Know key phrases in the language.
- Take some downtime every day or a siesta to relax and recharge.
- Take extra time for family when you’re visiting…
- Stay unconnected to the internet, phone, TV, newspaper for as much and as long as possible.
- Bring home meaningful mementos-souvenirs-photos.
- Compromise as much as possible with your travel mate(s) – Afterall, you are together to have a good time.
- you are together to have a good time.
On your return trip, try mentally “reliving” the highlights of your time away
My own life-work balance and integration is always a work in progress! I’ve found as have many working career minded Baby Boomers that maintain flexibility and a positive attitude and has become easier over the years. Taking time for myself is now a recognized necessity and high priority mark on my calendars. I no longer feel scrunched in the “sandwich generation”, having raised two wonderful daughters together with my husband. They are grown now with children of their own, living in Europe – a great reason to travel several times a year! Caregiving for my mom is
less hectic now after we got her settled in a nursing home nearby, situated near the beach. Visiting her weekly is gratefully combined with beach, boardwalk walk or bicycle ride. Combining tasks and priorities whenever possible and productive (versus multitasking) is a wonderful way to get more accomplished in a short time! Sometimes simply looking at a “to do” list of important A – must do today – column in an unhurried, thoughtful and self-brainstorming way creates doable combinations. I’m a fan of you can“have your cake and eat it too” philosophy when that makes sense and doesn’t create conflict.
It is
my hope that you, dear small business owners and entrepreneurs, create happy,
productive lives for yourselves, abundant in all that sustains you! I
encourage you to pursue your passions and dreams, complete your goals and be
grateful for it all, as it is not possible to feel sad or overwhelmed in the
same moments you feel grateful!
