I like working with independent professionals and artists
because of the way the work life balance shows itself in our lives - for
us, life, work, and business exist in a nexus from which we cannot easily
extract our ways of loving, relating, and making meaning. The challenges
we face in business inform our personal lives and personal challenges
affect our businesses.
Rich as it is, the relationship between personal and
professional life can be rocky and maintaining the work life balance is
often a tricky issue. I experienced this recently when, within a few weeks
of declaring some audacious goals for my business, a routine mammogram
turned up some abnormalities. In the following weeks I had additional
mammography, a biopsy, and surgery, with the happy outcome that the abnormalities
were benign. I wanted to put the experience behind me and get back to
work, full speed ahead.
The problem was that I didn't feel like it. I enjoyed
my client work and my speaking engagements, but I dreaded the creative
and analytic work related to teleclasses and Internet marketing. Try as
I might, I just didn't have the juice for these projects. On the life
side, I felt I needed time and energy for processing, renewal and restoring
my inner balance; on the work side I felt I needed to make up for lost
time.
I've been caught between the promptings of my spirit
and the requirements of my business more than a few times, and I know
pat success formulas don't help. I also know it is possible to take care
of ourselves and our businesses if we are willing to do the work.
Here are nine strategies that, taken together,
can help to change course without abandoning the destination and help
you restore your work life balance:
1. Don't panic.
Even if you feel panicky, you can choose modest, recoverable
steps to address the situation. This is no time to get a divorce, fire
an employee, or buy a new computer system. Tip: Talk with a coach
or therapist to get perspective.
2. Return to Source.
Whatever your spiritual orientation or tradition, connect with what for
you is the Source of life or spirit. Know that there is something larger
than you that encompasses you. Spend at least 15 minutes each day connecting
with that Source. (I like Mark Silver's Remembrance
Practice described in his free downloadable workbook Getting to
the Core of Your Business.)
3. Take a body inventory.
Are you sleeping well? How are you eating? What's your
energy level? If these are not up to par, get a professional evaluation
and take the steps that will restore your well being.
4. Tell the truth.
Sometimes energy flags when we've gotten into a pattern
of pleasing others or living according to standards that are not our own.
Notice if there is any imbalance. Notice where you're being less than
forthright and get clear about your motives, then clean it up. (Talking
to a coach or therapist can facilitate clear, authentic communication.)
5. Keep good company.
Are you stimulated and encouraged by your peers and clients?
Do you have great playmates? Playing on the wrong playground with the
wrong kids is neither fun nor productive.
6. Tune Up Your Thinking.
There's substantial evidence that managing the way we
think can have a profound and lasting effect on mood and motivation. See
Powell.com
for books you can use to tune up your cognitive skills and/or make a date
with a therapist. (If you are otherwise in good psychological health a
skilled coach can help, too.)
7. Set Healthy, Flexible Boundaries.
Yes, real life and real business are intimately connected,
but that doesn't mean that you need to give up your privacy. To find your
work life balance, set boundaries so that you can feel generous without
feeling depleted and available without feeling invaded. Keep them flexible,
because (doncha know?) things change.
8. Create or Refine Systems.
We can't manage real life and a real business or hope
to achieve meaningful balance without good systems. Look at where things
feel most out of sorts and resolve to create or improve a system to get
things on track.
9. Keep the Goal, Drop the Plan.
Sometimes the best way to achieve a goal is to let go
of our plans. Promptly and clearly revise commitments and offers as necessary
to bring current activity in line with current resources. Why abandon
ship when you can drop anchor while you make some repairs (or while you
enjoy a few weeks in the sun!)?
As for me, these strategies led me to postpone the re-launch
of the Authentic Promotion teleclass and take a break from Internet marketing.
Having stopped the war between myself and my business, I restored my work
life balance and now feel more engaged with the things that I choose to
take on (like writing this article.) My audacious goals are now shining
possibilities instead of looming obligations, and if it takes a little
longer to reach them, arriving will be all the sweeter.
