Life and Work Balance by Anne Preston's Mind Body Spirit Coaching

Work-life balance is a self-defined measure of success which is determined by each individual. The highest outcome is that the individual can manage effectively multiple responsibilities in their wheel of satisfaction, which then leads to fulfillment. The wheel of satisfaction includes such components as physical, emotional, family, community, life purpose, relationships, and financial and personal growth areas. The intention is that satisfaction is reached in each of the components at a level that is self determined by each individual. The underlying feeling is that required as a result of one of feeling good at the end of the day, end of the week and end of the year. The highest outcome will not cause any new problems or negative impact.

How do you know when you've got work-life balance?

Individuals who experience balance are satisfied with their work and home lives, are able to fulfill their multiple responsibilities at home, work and in the community without being sorry. They are healthy physically, emotionally, and socially, have a sense of peace, calm and clarity in their life, and feel that the decisions they make are informed choices as opposed to forced compromises.

How do you know when you don't?

You know you've got imbalance when you're constantly tired, feeling like you're running uphill all the time and seemingly getting nowhere or when you feel like you are not at choice or are stuck in a dilemma. In a place of imbalance, you feel life is happening to you instead of you creating your life. When you can think of more things that are not getting done or that you are unsatisfied with than those that you have accomplished or are actively working towards. In other words you see more negative in your life than positive. You might also be tired, unmotivated, get sick more than usual. You might also make poor choices for food, not resourcefully retain your relationships or make the best decisions for yourself.

How do I work to achieve balance for myself?

On the journey to achieving the work life, family life, and personal life we want, there are steps we can take to become aware of our current situation vs. where we want to be.

Steps include: Taking a wheel of satisfaction assessment to determine your current satisfaction in all the different areas of life, identifying your life's purpose; your destiny, cause and calling, identifying meaningful objectives and personal values then aligning yourself with actions and behaviours that support those objectives and selectively eliminating things that do not support your objectives or that impede your progress.

Goals and desired outcomes should directly connect you to your bigger game in life and through the active participation in achieving and succeeding in your different life areas will lead to a more fulfilling life.

That is not to say that each day is completely balanced, that would be boring path to walk. But over time, when you pay attention to each of the areas of your life, the focus you give will have a similar level of satisfaction. You may find one day your passion and purpose will be stronger in one of the areas, but overall there is an equal opportunity to focus in each of the life areas. The key is finding the level of commitment that fits your own definition of success. This is unique to each individual, and is not a one size fits all solution.

One of the best ways of determining this is to work with a coach on the topic of life fulfillment so you have identified all the paving stones on your own individual path and then help them you align them with the commitments of work, home and community.