Achieving Balance In Your Life - Blog #2 of 6

Written for Ripple Effects by Rachel Allan, marketing consultant, author and mum.
8 March 2018
The only way you can have balance is your life is to define what it means to you. You need to act to make changes in areas you feel unbalanced in. Make the choice for a better life. Create a new path today!
After I had my daughter I spent two years living in a pressure cooker, feeling totally out of control. Stressing every day about food, money, work, being a mum and not even thinking about looking after myself.
Life just doesn’t have to be that way.
I assessed three areas of my life – my business, my general life and my self care.
I realised in business I was just simply wasting my time doing things I was no longer passionate about, weren’t providing a financial return and were time consuming. I started being smart with the use of my time and energy. I focused on the core part of our business – the part which was making money.
I put importance on systems in my house. Making the domestic tasks easier. Cleaning, cooking, shopping, washing. I encouraged my partner to step up – who did!
I put myself first – most of the time anyway. I take time to re-energise myself, filling up my cup so I can continue to serve others, either my family or my clients. I look after my health and wellbeing.
Here is some specifics on the changes I made:

1. Systems – especially in the house. I do not enjoy cleaning, cooking and the daily boring household tasks. I do enjoy a clean house, clothes to wear and food to eat. So, I created systems. I set-up cleaning checklists for each room. I bought a bigger washing machine and a clothes line with a cover. I plan my meals and shopping once a month. Grocery shop once a fortnight, fresh foods weekly. I do a big cook-up on a Sunday.

1. Schedule time – I schedule everything. Tasks I complete daily. Appointments. School holidays, long weekends, pupil free days. Every person in our house has their own google calendar which we all share so we can see what everyone is doing!

I also run a task list (I have a manual one and use an app) for those small tasks or when the deadline is in the future. I can then schedule time based on the needs of my business.

1. Delegate or automate – I operate effectively three businesses. I have learned to automate as many processes I can – working on the theory if you repeat it then automate or outsource. Additionally, I have virtual administrators who help with specific tasks. There is no possible way I can do everything I need to and keep my sanity.

1. Dedicated work time – this is easy if you have a job and go to an office. You will find care for your children. If you work from home or run your own business, you may think you can work around your children. You will soon find this just doesn’t work. You will spend more time telling your children to leave you alone, getting frustrated at them and putting them in front of the TV than getting real work done. Get care for your children, swap with a friend, ask a relative, family day care or child care centres are all great places for your child to go to socialise and learn. Use that time smartly and do the tasks that you need to focus on.

1. Let go of the guilt. Just stop it. Don’t go there. Stop comparing yourself to others or letting others judge your decisions. If your children are happy and healthy that is all that matters. Think of the big picture – why are you doing what you are you doing?

These tips will take time to create and make part of your life. Isn’t it better you are moving towards balance than staying where you are today? Remain focused, believe balance can be found and moves forward confidently into the new you.
Once you start controlling your life you will be able to make decisions and choices around how you spend your time – you will even find little bits of time for yourself.
Due to the changing nature of life, your children and business, achieving balance is not consistent. Some days as hard as you try it will just not work, just press reset and start again. The only time for concern is when you can’t set reset, or you can’t see an end to the ‘thing’ which is causing pressure.
Remember to breath, be present with your children, focused on your work. Enjoy life. Understand why you are doing this. Focus on the big things and let the small things look after themselves!