”We come into this world head first and go out feet first; in between, it is all a matter of balance.” — Paul Boese

If you’re finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you’re not alone. There was a time when the boundaries between work and home were fairly clear. Today, however, work is likely to invade your personal life.

Life balance seems to be the topic on everyone’s mind of late. The world constantly tries to throw us out of balance. Sometimes, no matter what we do, we still feel like we’re leaning in the wrong direction.

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is not only essential for personal well-being, it can be a boost to our productivity, career or business success. A well-balanced person has a greater ability to focus on attaining goals, taking actions and moving forward.

Success is accomplishing milestones in BOTH your professional and personal life. It is dedicating enough time to your work and equally enough time to yourself, your faith, your family, friends and doing the things you love.

A balanced life should be our ultimate goal. We can accomplish most anything once we stop trying to do everything. The key is to make small adjustments over time to determine what works best for each of us.

So, how do you find work/life balance? Here are some key ideas:

1. Make a plan — It’s been said that failing to plan is planning to fail. Perfect your time-management skills to find more balance. Plan for the week each Sunday to be more efficient and focused.

2. Put “life” first — You’ll never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied with your life. So, don’t get confused thinking that having a successful career is synonymous with having a successful life. It isn’t!

3. Schedule “life” time — You’ll never FIND time for your “life” priorities, so you’ll have to MAKE time. Make it a point to schedule time with family and friends, and activities that help you recharge and feel more balanced. Do it first!

4. Plan escapes — Slowly build more activities into your schedule that ignite your joy. Plan regular vacations or staycations to continually refresh yourself. Just the anticipation will recharge your batteries and offset stressors.

5. Let things go — Don’t mistake being busy with being successful. Minimize activities that sap your time and energy or don’t enhance your career or personal life.

6. Nurture yourself — We are happier and more productive when we get enough sleep, eat healthy and are active. Learn relaxation techniques such as meditation, imagery or yoga.

7. Stay positive — Complaining does not work as a strategy. Any time we spend whining will not help us achieve our goals or bring joy and balance into our lives.

8. Disconnect technology — Technology is wonderful, but we can abuse it in ways that prevent us from participating in life. Try disconnecting on the weekend, for one day or even a few hours each night.

9. Connect with others — We cannot live happily only for ourselves. Get to know and associate with the people around you. The continuity of relationships will help you feel grounded and balanced.

10. Learn to say “NO” — It’s OK to respectfully say no. When you quit accepting tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you’ll have more time for meaningful activities.

11. Be creative — Find a hobby (working doesn’t count). Pursuing a passion creates a life balance and you may be surprised at how relaxing and rejuvenating it can be.

12. Enjoy the journey. Life is simply too short, so don’t let it pass you in a blur. Too often, we bury ourselves in to-do lists and work just pretending to live. Pausing to enjoy the simple wonders of life helps establish peace and balance.

Life is a process, and so is striving for balance in your life. It might take some work at first, but once you discover ways to find balance, you will feel empowered, inspired and energized by every new day.

Brad Larsen is a life coach and leadership coach /consultant from Northern Utah. He can be reached at bradlarsen@dailymasterpieces.com.