6 STEPS TO FINDING BALANCE

By Holly Binkley – Fizik Fitness

Woman Housework

Balance is crucial for our total well-being and that’s why I have selected to share this topic in my blog.

In today’s society, we are constantly on the go. There are so many things demanding our attention; family, work and extracurricular activities.  With all of the technology you would think that things would be a bit simpler, but it’s just not so. In fact, personally, these ”convenience” items add more stress because now I have to check for texts, email, phone messages, snail mail, it becomes correspondence overload!!

We must take steps to prioritize all of the “things” that are cluttering up our lives.  It may take some sacrifice, perhaps giving up a few bad habits, but it is a necessity.  One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is we must learn to occasionally say “no”.

I have included a few steps to help you find balance in your life.

1. Check Priorities – This may take some time and some weeding out but definitely worth the effort! You must determine what it is that is eating up your minutes each day.  Are you surfing the web too long?  Have you included your children in too many activities?  Do you have time to work out?  Are you stopping too often at Fast Food Restaurants because “it is convenient” and you’re lacking the time or energy to preparing a healthy meal for your family?

2. Be Honest. If you aren’t honest with yourself as to the true time-wasters in your life, things cannot change.  My recommendation is to keep a journal for a week or two, writing down EVERYTHING that you are doing each day.  Then be honest with yourself and decide what is truly necessary.

3. Organize. Once you have listed your priorities, re-write them in order, starting with yourself. No…putting yourself first is not being selfish; it’s enabling and empowering and gives your family the BEST YOU that you can give.  Also, organizing your household, your office, your car, everything can make your life run smoother and more effective than trying to sort through clutter each time you need a document, book report, school bag, uniform, etc.

4. Include Yourself! Include a hobby, craft, or service group to your schedule, whatever it is that helps you feel fulfilled. Again, it’s not being selfish, it’s so you can keep your sanity. It’s so you don’t lose yourself while caring for others, whether it’s a craft, music, reading, cycling, whatever!

5. Schedule EVERYTHING. Your meals, your workouts, your laundry day, everything! This takes work but it definitely will help you find balance. I like to use a desktop calendar that I can carry with me.  That is my main source, but I also have a wall calendar in the kitchen where I write important tasks for family members.

6. Stay on your schedule. BUT – if you miss something, for instance, your scheduled workout, don’t let it disrupt your entire schedule, life happens. Remember the old saying, don’t sweat the small stuff? Well, don’t sweat it!! Just continue on with your routine and if you find some extra time somewhere, perhaps you can makeup that missed cardio session.

Again, just a few small steps can help you make BIG gains in changing to a life of fitness and well being.