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BALANCING ACT PART II BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE |
Tip for the Holidays People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves, they have the first secret of success.
Norman Vincent Peale
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Balancing Act - Part One
Life is crazy isn't it? We are all crazy busy - we have chores, kids activities, work, family, volunteering - you fill in the blank. I'm sure you've heard it before. "It's all about balance". But what does that mean?Balance means different things to everyone. For one person balance may mean eating at home once a week. For others, eating out every night may leave you feeling out of control. The truth is that balance isn't something you achieve and then forget about. Being balanced is not a goal or task that we can check off of our proverbial to do list. It requires ongoing effort to make adjustments and regroup.
To maintain a balanced life we must make a conscious effort to focus on what's important. Imagine standing on one foot. You might wobble, sway back and forth or even lose your balance and fall over. Then you regroup and start over. But if you are conscious and aware of staying balanced, and you find that spot on the wall to focus on, you're able to maintain that stand for longer and with less effort.
The same holds true in life as well. Balancing life requires that same focus. We must tease out what's truly important so that we do not waste time on the things does not feed our soul and ultimately zaps our energy. When we focus on the things we value we release our minds and life of the clutter that throws us off balance and leaves us feeling drained. I find it helpful to declare a mission statement for our family. Since I know what matters to my family I can define the I path I want to set for us. By doing this I have created a blueprint of sorts that helps me stay focused.
It's no secret the mother's are excellent jugglers. We are masters of the multi task. We have more going on than any CEO out there. But the greatest pressure we have on our shoulders is being the heart and center of our families. They look to us to be the eye in the storm of this crazy world. The truth is that when we are out of balance, the whole family is out of balance. As important as balance is to our well being, it is equally important to the well being of our family. You've heard it said - "If mama ain't happy, no one is happy". How's that for pressure?
This is where the guilt free comes in. If we realize that we are actually doing our family a favor by taking care of ourselves then we are relieved of that gut wrenching guilt when the family whines as we walk out the door. So, with that being said, it is time to make yourself a priority. Now, before you roll your eyes and say "as if", I'm not suggesting you take weekly trips to the spa. Start small. I'm saying 5 minutes. Tell your husband and kids you need 5 minutes. Go to your room, the backyard, the bathroom. Anywhere that is quiet. Ideally, it would be great if you could squeeze in some meditation or do breathing exercises.
Take these tiny opportunities to reconnect and center yourself. And the beauty of this plan is that, as hard as it may seem to sneak away for 5 minutes, your family will soon forget that you're home and you'll find 5 minutes can turn into 10 or 15 - or maybe even a half hour. The important thing is that you train the family to give you that time to yourself - and train yourself to take it. Baby steps ladies, baby steps! Just remember - a mother's love is sweeter that chocolate, but don't forget to give yourself a little chocolate too!!
Karen Mavrikos has a Masters Degree in Counseling and more than a decade of experience working with adults and children dealing with challenges in their lives. She has turned those skills from helping people in crisis, to guiding women who want more from an already good life.
OK 2 Be You
When you need someone who listens and understandsKaren Mavrikos M.C.
Professional Life Coach (602) 625-2080 Karen@ok2beyou.com
Professional Life Coach (602) 625-2080 Karen@ok2beyou.com