I was helping someone last week who was struggling with their work life balance. They were frustrated and upset.
Work was overpowering everything else in their life. Ironically, it was an intentional (ish) choice for them to double down on their work. It helped distract them from some other things that were going on in their life.
We talked about their priorities at work – and where the boundaries should be between work and the rest of their life. We also talked about what things had to be prioritised either higher, or as high as work. Things like health, a few relationships, a specific issue in their life, and some time to switch off. We talked about strategies to make that happen.
I know exactly what it’s like for work to overpower everything else in your life. I struggled with this for a long time. I felt like a failure for not being able to get any ONE, single area of my life in good shape. I was unhappy and overwhelmed most of the time
All that happens in this scenario, is you slowly (sometimes quickly) move towards a place where things fall apart. You can only neglect other important things in your life for so long – before something breaks. It’s rarely worth it, and sometimes what breaks, is unrepairable.
At some point you have to do the hard work to figure out what’s important in your life. You have to make a commitment to live those priorities. And then you have to figure out a way of organising your life so you can do that.
I finally figured this out a few years ago, and it changed my life. I moved away from being so goal orientated in my life. I let go of being obsessed with my work.
Don’t get me wrong – work will always be a big part of my life. I will always strive to be as effective and impactful as I can be. But, I know where the line is. And I know what else in my life is either more important, or as important than work.
Your priorities are your actions. If you’re spending a lot of time working, and you’re never exercising – then work is your priority and exercise is not a priority. It’s as simple as that.
I’ve been working on a 121 coaching program for the last year or so that will help people solve this exact problem. In fact, I’ve already taken someone through the program, and it’s been transformative for them.
I’m calling the program ‘Get Unstuck’ and am launching it at the end of October. There will only be one or two places to begin with.
This is because I will invest a lot of my time with each person throughout the program. It’s a 121 personalised coaching program that runs over an 8 week period. And there will be as much support as you need between the sessions.
If you struggle to balance a successful career and a life of your own, feel overwhelmed and like you’re failing at EVERYTHING – I guarantee it will be life changing.
If you want to be notified when I’m ready to start working with a couple of people, make sure you’re on my email list. And if you know of someone who might be interested – I would super appreciate it if you would point them in my direction.
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