Balance
on 04.10.05, 12:51pm in life • comments (5)
I’ve been finding it extraordinarily difficult as of late to achieve a sense of balance between work, life, home, family, pet projects, hitting the gym and just plain old getting things done. And when this happens, the little things that I put off start to weigh heavy in the back of my mind. For example, I have a nightstand that we ordered back in Dec still sitting in a box in one of the guest rooms just waiting to be put together. While it’s not a big deal, it’s just another thing to get done. 48 hours over the weekend just doesn’t seem to be cutting it either - it’s just enough time to get the critical items off the list.
Since I usually hit the office by 6am, I’m usually able to get out by 4-5 so I can spend time with my wife and son in the evenings. I’ve been certainly falling behind with my hobbies, and I can’t remember the last time I worked out. A great example is the Mac Mini - I’ve had it for a month now, and it’s probably been on for 15 minutes.
Unless I can figure out a way to increase a day to 35 hours, I need to find a better way to balance everything and squeeze more into the day. Anyone have any thoughts on getting everything done?
James Risto (April 11, 2005 @ 5:41 am)
Anything you can do about your work hours? Over the last few years, I have scaled back to just the core hours. I see my kids getting up sometimes, and always soon after school. Work has gotten more and more boring, which helps the mind disconnect easily. I fill in the brain gaps with my own ‘puter projects at home.
Steve (April 11, 2005 @ 6:27 am)
Ya know, I’m not working late into the evening - I’m usually at the office by 6am, and leave at 4:15 or so. There’s nothing really to cut back, nor am I bored (in fact, it’s the opposite - i’m super engaged with what I’m working on).
Kevin P (April 12, 2005 @ 5:56 am)
If you can figure this one out, please let me know. The kids will be 13 and 14 in a few weeks and I still don’t know how to keep things from sliding off into oblivion.
I try to prioritize at the moment and I guess that the stuff that never happens wasn’t all that important (relativily speaking) to begin with. When viewed in isolation everything looks like it is important and needs to be done. The problem is that no choices are ever presented this way. Try to remember that. (If you can get it to work, you’re doing better than me.)
Mark (April 12, 2005 @ 2:36 pm)
I’d suggest trying to combine activities. They can be both minor (ex. Skip the gym and take your wife/kids for a bike ride or a jog) or major. We work downtown but started looking for a new house in the suburbs. The realization of a 30 min. commute each way made us look to the inner city neighbourhoods. We spent more money and got way less house but I can bike to work in
Shawn (April 12, 2005 @ 9:02 pm)
1. Buy this - http://www.franklincovey.com/planplus/outlook/index.html
2. Block off three hours, and focus on your mission, your goals, etc. Figure out what’s important, and treat yourself as an investment. Where do you want to spend your investment, and what do you want to get in return?
3. If you’re honest with yourself, magic will happen.
4. Let’s chat at the offsite tomorrow…B-)