Work/Life Balance

WORK/LIFE BALANCE.

If you are like me, it can be tough to balance work, play and wellness. There are some weeks where I feel like my life is all business and others where fitness and experimenting with healthy recipes are the focus, and others still that I just want to “Netflix and chill”.

We all have obligations to family, friends as well as ourselves, so how do you do it all and still have balance? This is an on-going discovery for me, but the truth is it’s really not that hard and I have found a few strategies that help me stay organized and less stressed.

Pre-Plan Your Week

One of the BIGGEST strategies that has kept me organized recently is planning my week on Sunday nights. From preparing social media content and writing blog posts to packing my gym bag and meal prepping, I find that thinking about tasks/projects at the start of my week means the difference between success or stress. On the Sundays I do not plan—like last Sunday—I feel overwhelmed and often fail to follow through because I didn’t allot myself the time to organize.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Living a balanced lifestyle is not solely about time management, it is also about incorporating a range of activities that nourish the multi-faceted individual you are! Trips to the grocery store, doing laundry or driving the kids to practice are all necessary tasks but when do you make time for the things you enjoy or, more importantly, give you a mental break? It is vital to block out time to not only do but be—interests that reset your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. Take a 15-minute walk at lunch, get a mani/pedi or catch a movie. Otherwise you’ll quickly experience that thing called burnout! Burnout can lead to poor decisions, mistakes and mood changes. At the same time, you don’t want to be the person who is only motivated by pleasure. So, yes, have fun but also be sure to incorporate productive activities to keep your mind sharp, body healthy and soul fed.

Ask for Help

This one is MAJOR and something I myself struggle with. At times, we feel the need—or in some cases are forced—to pull out our cape and be everything to everyone. We bestow titles upon ourselves to get certain jobs done—mom, dad, daughter, son, employee, handyman, nurse, confidant, life coach, spiritual advisor, chef, therapist, and the list goes on. How can one be all those things at the same time? Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family, friends and, yes, even professionals! It doesn’t make you weak or incompetent, it actually makes you smart. You realize that you need to engage the assistance of others in order to be a more productive and saner you.

Is living a balanced life hard or easy for you? What are some of the ways you have found balance in your life?

Intentional Commitment

Hi everyone!

2019 already feels different. This year, there is just something new in the air. Maybe it's the political and social climate in which we now find ourselves, maybe it's the renewed boom in entrepreneurship and tech. Whatever the case, people are committing their thoughts, opinions and actions to make changes.

I have also chosen to commit this year—the commitment to investing in myself! I am choosing me this year. At times, I have poured into others with little to no return, but if I know that I am a good investment why wouldn't I give myself the same support, if not more? 

"Investing in yourself is about more than just money. It’s about sacrificing the new time required to achieve goals and believing that you are worth the challenge." --Maya Gatewood

This year I am making the intentional commitment to push "go" on my spiritual walk, business and the ideas I have had for years. Is it scary? Is it overwhelming? Is there the possibility of falling short? Yes! But I cannot say I failed if I never tried. This conviction started with one step—registering for an online course to help me level up. Money may be tight, the outcome may be uncertain, but I had to start with that one step, and each step after will inform the next.

Baby Steps

Sometimes it's not the big steps but the little ones that can propel us faster, building confidence with each achievement. For example, say you want to create a complex food dish but the prep and cooking time and the long list of ingredients make you want to give up before you even start. If you take the instructions step by step, the process seems more manageable. With the recipe broken down into digestible pieces, you are less likely to feel overwhelmed by the amount of work involved and more likely to feel confident by mastering smaller tasks. Think about applying the same principle to your life. Just start with the first step and focus on accomplishing that. Maybe it's printing out the application for college enrollment, packing your gym bag at night and putting it by the door, or writing out bullet points for your business proposal. Once you've conquered the first step, you'll feel motivated to move on to the second, and before you know it your goal is just one step away.

What are some things you are committing to this year? What's the first step on the path to your goal? What strategies can you implement to get there faster? What will you do to keep yourself motivated when challenges arise?

5 Work From Home Tips

Hi everyone!

Working from home can sometimes be more challenging than going to “the office”. There are many things vying for your attention at home: television, kids, comfortable beds, a fridge full of food, personal phone calls.

I have recently been working from home and I absolutely LOVE it, but I quickly realized there were a few things I needed to do in order to help me feel my best and most productive self. I want to share my top 5 tips with you.

Tip #1: Claim Your Space.

Depending on the layout of your home, a room with a door or sitting upright at a table decreases distractions and signals to your family—as well as your own mind—that you are concentrating on work. Think about an extra bedroom you can convert into an office or setup shop at the far-end of your dining table. Avoid plopping down on that comfy couch in the living room or jumping into bed with your laptop—it’s too tempting to get lazy in these spots.

Tip #2: Get Dressed!

One of the perks of WFH is the dress code! You can grind away in your favorite robe and fuzzy slippers and while I have nothing against being cozy in your own home, I challenge that you may not be at your most productive in this attire. Listen, I DEFINITELY do not put on actual clothes every single day but when I do, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle my day. I choose a comfortable outfit that I can sit in all day and I usually decline footwear.

Tip #3: Pick the Right Time of Day.

Choosing the right time of day to begin your day is imperative to being as fruitful as possible. Although I am not a morning person—if you are like me—I need the bright, recharging, mood-boosting daylight to fuel my energy and disposition. However, I know musicians whose day doesn’t typically start until 9:00 in the evening. So, whatever your profession, select the time that encourages efficiency and creativity.

Tip #4: Surround Yourself with Inspiration.

So, you’ve claimed that great space, you got dressed and you are working at the optimal time of day, now it’s time to place things around you that inspire. For me, a candle is a must! There is something about that soft glowing light that calms and soothes me—perfect for those days with stressful deadlines. I also love having words of affirmation, to speak confidence to my abilities. Color plays a vital role in our mood and outlook. The color palette in my office is comprised of cool grays, soft earth tones and muted pastels—I am able to think clearly and spawn a lot of ideas here.

Tip #5: Type-Cast Your Ideal Space.

My final tip is to ensure your space is conducive to the type of business you are running or tasks you are performing. For me, it was important that I have an area to receive clients. I didn’t want to conduct a business meeting in my living room. So, I have a settee that seats two and is proportionate to the room. A private chef may want to consider bar seating and prep space for cooking demos, or a personal trainer would need an open area with high ceilings for fitness equipment and freedom of movement. Think about what you need to do, how you need to do it, and if anyone needs to do it with you. Let these inform the type of space you need.

Now that we’ve discussed some suggestions to help you be more productive, positive, practical and creative when working from home, let’s get to it!