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Balancing Who You Are and What You Do
Susan Race

Susan Race, a professional coach, suggests that we stop talking about balancing work and life as if they are unrelated parts of our existence. Looking at it this way creates confusion and frustration. In reality, our work - what we do - is part of our life. It helps us address our many needs based on Maslow's hierarchy, and provides the means to support the type of life we want. Are you afraid that pursuing your dreams will leave you penniless? That's a self-limiting belief. To balance the time that you devote to your personal and professional life, determine your passion and commit to earning your livelihood doing something that you love. People who do what they love are far more successful than people who just work to earn a paycheck. Marcia Sinetar's best selling books, "Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow," and "To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love" tell the success stories of people who finally followed their passion and realized success they never dreamed of. What other self-limiting beliefs are preventing you from allocating time to both your personal and professional life to achieve balance? Are you ruling your actions by "shoulds," "oughts," and "have tos?" Learn to replace these words with "want," "choose," and "prefer." Allow yourself the right to have fun. When was the last time you had REAL fun? You'll be amazed at the relief and solace that it brings you. In order to rekindle some of the special relationships in my life and rediscover fun, I volunteer to babysit for my nephews, aged 10 and 8.

When people tell me that I am crazy and in for a rough time, I simply tell them how much I'm looking forward to these times and anticipate great joy. I have more fun than I originally imagine and play in ways that I haven't in years. In one day alone, we swam, saw a funny movie, went bowling, ate great Mexican and Chinese food, played scrabble, and just spent quality time together. While with the boys, I neither think nor care about work sitting on my desk or all the other things that others think I 'should' be doing in my home and office. Congratulations to those of you for whom this type of weekend is normal! For those of you who, like me, devote most of your time to work, realize how important it is to carve out time for your friends and family. Relationships, whether with yourself or others, requires you to be fully present, not just through e-mails and telephone calls.     Susan Race is the President of Personal Growth Systems. You may contact her at 215-493-3325 or visit her website at personalgrowthsystems.com. Susan says: If you're ready to find balance in and appreciate your life, commit to yourself to clarify all facets of your life and develop the self - discipline to pursue them fully, with gusto, I know you can do this and would love to hear your success stories.

What is "Work/Home Balance," Anyway?
And How do I Get It?
Sandi Epstein

Balance is experienced differently by everyone and can be identified with the feeling that: You have enough time for family and work. Life "flows" and feels relatively effortless. When something in your life breaks down (babysitter gets sick, the car breaks) you have the resources to cope. You are on the path you want to be on both personally and professionally. Some characteristics of balance are: It is dynamic. It comes and goes as things change in life. It has to be worked at. Seeking balance can be stimulating and a true learning experience about what is important to you. How do you get balance? There are many components to finding balance, many that you know consciously and unconsciously. Here are my "top ten" components to finding balance. Add your own and put this list in the back of your mind to help guide you in this difficult process.   Sandi is a professional coach helping people to achieve their best in life. She may be contacted at SLSE123@aol.com.

Recognize that balancing roles as mother and businessperson is truly work in itself, and deserves appreciation (a pat on the back). Take time to think about balance and how to get it this week. Apply your best analytical and creative thinking to problem solve this task. Remember yourself, your needs, your wants, your happiness - this is the ultimate barometer of balance. Have faith there is a way -- don't put barriers in front of possibilities, you can make it work. Flexibility is important -- what works this week may be out of whack next week -- stay open to new solutions. Know the signs of imbalance, including resentment, fatigue, overwhelm, depression, unhappy family members, and dissatisfaction with work. Revisit your core values and live them, know what is most important to you today. Remove or delegate the things that interfere with the important stuff. Find the joy in the process.

Articles in this issue: Let's Hurry Up and Relax! Identifying Passions is Key to Balance  Piercing Corporate Illusions Balancing Work and Life: Redefining Success at Mid-life Balancing Who You Are and What You Do What is Work/Home Balance? Today's Technology Read the Text Version E-mail the Editor