This guest blog post is submitted by Sandi Gordon, founder of www.GreatLifeBalance.com. You can read more about Sandi in her bio below.
I’ve had a superwoman image for most of my life. I knew I could work 50+ hours a week, travel, manage a home, volunteer 40 hours per month, and start a business.
But just because I CAN doesn’t mean I WANT to. Who put those expectations in my head? It appeared to me that “everyone” was doing the same thing, so it seemed normal. But it wasn’t normal – I was getting more and more exhausted, I had no time for my family or friends or exercise or eating healthy, much less a massage or manicure.
After a few bouts with extreme exhaustion, I decided I wanted a different way of life. A life that focuses on my peeps rather than the beeps of my computer alerting me to yet another email or text message. Deciding I wanted something different was the key turning point for me.
I took a day just for me (unheard of!) to really think about what I wanted instead of the constant motion and busyness. What was truly important? More time spent with those I love, to meet new people, to read and learn and see movies and travel just for fun, all made my list. So did giving back to causes meaningful to me. And leaving a legacy of helping others.
So what clues are present in your life that tell you that you might benefit from being less busy? Check these out:
- You push the elevator button three or five times to “hurry it up”
- You can’t sleep at night because you’re so far behind and you worry about getting it all done
- You say “yes” to every volunteer request even if you really don’t care
- You think everything has to be home-made, including all food, holiday decorations, and Halloween costumes
- You can’t pay attention to your family or friends because you’re so distracted with what you need to accomplish
- You are a slave to your smart-phone or computer, jumping at every chirp
Please know you really can stop being so busy. Decide you want a life that’s driven not by someone else’s expectations, but by what’s important to you. You are brilliant, and you know in your heart what you want. And I believe you are so worth having it.
Ready for balance? Pick just one thing that would help you be less busy and feel more connected with what truly matters to you. And do it. Today. You have permission. Everything else can wait.
Sandi Gordon is founder of www.GreatLifeBalance.com, a company focused on teaching smart professional women how to bring balance to insanely busy lives. Her inspirational teaching and gentle kick-ya’-in-the-patootie challenges encourage people to take back control and live their lives with power, freedom, and fun. Through her workshops, courses, coaching programs, and products, Sandi helps her students overcome the 3 O’s – overwork, overcommitment, and overwhelm, while living into their dreams.
Get a copy of her free report, “52 Ways to Kick Stress to the Curb” at www.greatlifebalance.com. Or contact her at 254-423-2283.
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