Brayden practicing his yoga moves... this one is called Downward Facing Dog Pose.... I constantly find myself seeking Balance. Balance between work and fun. Balance between church and other volunteering. Balance between taking care of my family and taking care of me. Just when I have a workable routine, life changes and I'm forced to start all over to figure out how to get everything done in a day that needs to be done.
I once read about a very good idea from Julie Beck... it goes something like this (I'm paraphrasing): divide your day into 3 categories: "must do", "should do" and "would like to do". Put all your daily tasks into one of these 3 catergories and then do them in the order of their priority." It's a great concept, but I struggle to know what should be on the "must do" list and what can go on the other lists. Do you know what I mean???About a month or so ago I stumbled across a blog about exercising. That's something I've really struggled with over the last year. I feel like I haven't had the energy, time or interest in it. I'm finally getting back on track, and signing up for a Triathlon on November 1st was just the "kick in the butt" that I needed. Anyway, this blog was talking about daily priorities... this girl related that if she can get three things done in the beginning of the day, then all else will just fall into place. Are you dying to know what she said? It's not rocket science, but it really simplified things for me in my mind. The first three things she does during the day is 1)personal prayer 2)personal scripture study and 3)exercise. So about 3 weeks ago I decided those would be my primary goals during the day and then I'd just work up from there. I didn't know how hard it was going to be. There are days like today when it takes me until noon to accomplish all three. I'm not ready to abandon this plan, but I'm really wishing I could be a bit more productive and get them done earlier. I know I should just set the alarm and get up before my kids, but I am NOT a morning person and it just won't happen. I even thought about trying to get up an hour earlier than I do now so I can go to the gym without kids (before Eric leaves) and save $10 a month on daycare at the gym. Then I realized that no matter how much I fantasize about being that "together", it just isn't going to happen. So, I'm trying to be realistic, and be productive at the same time... is that an impossible expectation??? I need some input here... how do you achieve Balance in life?
5 comments:
Not great at balancing my life either. Still trying to balance the church calling with everything else. But one thing I do to get the gym in consistently, is go right after I drop Kate at school. Then I have no excuse to not go and it gets me there at least 3 times a week. Also, I try to schedule certain tasks for the same day each week (grocery on Tuesdays; laundry on Fridays; errands on Wednesday, etc). Hope you get into a schedule and feel more balanced.
Even after all these years, balance is an ongoing process. I don't think of it as "pass or fail" but more of priorities. Now can I practice what I preach?
Pretty hard. I have a long table set up in the family room with ongoing scrap booking. My dinette table is covered in rubber stamping Christmas cards I am suppose to be working on for Relief Society, and the ever annoying voice (not Craig) calling from the back yard and the yard projects that are always hounding me.
So? I got up today, exercised (always first in the day), then put on the movie "Hairspray" and found myself rockin' out while I was getting quite a bit done. Big projects, pace yourself. Do a little everyday and before you know it, it's done.
Good luck. Love ya, Mom
Hmmm, no advice from me, as I need it myself (we're really two peas in a pod). But when you figure it out, please pass it on! Actually, as you said, I know it's not a matter of just figuring it out once (boo hoo!).
well, I know you are blogging and I am getting on my own nerves when I post this, but I just started a part time job as an independent contractor helping a lady get her at home small business going. This is what I do professionally Chris- so you have done a great job at writing this down. You have shared it and you are giving it a try. Is three goals too much? It's always good to start small with something that can be achieved, that will feed the fire inside to be able to do more.
Balance in life takes a lot of work and no one is perfect at it. I have our family on a pretty good run this week, but it it takes a lot of time and effort to get to where you really want to be. But that is why they say one step at a time.
Morning is my favorite time for scriptures, but if you aren't a morning person, and you can stick to your night reading, then just figure out what is going to work best for you. Just work with what is best for you and what can realistically achieve.
those are great goals and I thkn you are doing a great job! you can do this!!!
First - I just have to comment about the comment you left on my blog ;) You said you did walks for Prop 22? Well Prop 8 is the SAME THING! Except it will change the state Constitution so that the lovely Supreme Court judges can't mess with the law any more. But, it's not looking good. I finished my calls today and the majority said they were going to vote no. Sigh.
And now, onto the balanced life. Go and grab the book "Confessions of an Unbalanced Woman" by Emily Watts. It's funny and insightful and SHORT! No, really - it's 58 pages! She has a chapter on time management and finding focus, the scriptures and so on. It's so short that the book doesn't have time to get to that "Oh my goodness! That's so OVERWHELMING!" It seems like so many self help books get to that point. You have so MUCH information that you don't know where to start, and so, you do nothing.
I will be the first to admit, I have no balance in my life. I'm trying, but it's not something that comes naturally to me. I like the prayer, scripture, exercise idea... add blogging onto the list and we'd be all good ;)
But seriously, see if you can get your hands on a copy of that book. You'll laugh and you'll think!! Superb combo, in my opinion!
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