Do you feel constantly tired, drained, lifeless, and overwhelmed? In fact, you might often feel like you’re chasing your goals endlessly and there will never be enough time to get everything done. Anxiety, stress, and worry are mental states that can sap your energy and impact your communication style, behaviour, and productivity, among other things.

Do you dread waking up in the morning and dragging yourself to work, or is it that you feel exhausted the moment you think about getting back home from a long day at work? These are signs that your life is spinning out of control and it’s time to get in the driver’s seat and return to a lifestyle balance.

The very fact that the title of this article caught your attention means that somewhere deep down you are aware that there is an imbalance that you want to do something about. Invariably, any discussion about lifestyle imbalance will lead to talking about time constraints, since a lack of time has always been cited as the # 1 reason why people fail to take steps towards improving their situation.

So, in this article we will discuss “time-saving” ways to increase your mental clarity, focus and organization.

Goals Goals Goals.

First things first, look at your short-term and long-term goals. Scribble them down in two separate columns without second guessing yourself. Just pour them out. Now, take a hard look at them. Are your goals sustainable for your personal and professional growth or are they contributing to burn-out? Are your goals in alignment with the person you are in this moment or are they out-dated? Are your goals too idealistic and fancy and do not feel realistic or even slightly achievable? If you find that your goals do not define you or sustain you, nip them in the bud. Stephen Covey has said “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

Practice silence

In a very real way, our inner world determines the outcomes we receive in life. Silence is an effective way of saving your mental energy. Meditate, if you will. Practising silence for at least 15-30 minutes a day will allow you to observe the existing patterns in your life more deeply. Your awareness will sky rocket and you will become more patient and emerge a wiser decision maker.

Say No when you must

Yes, but what does it entail? Well, start by saying NO to things that just add to your already overstuffed itinerary. Start responding with “No, sorry” or “let me think about it” when you know that participating will mean wasting time and other internal or external resources.

Shut off distractions

Turn off email alerts, set your WhatsApp Messenger status to “away,” mute (you can also set exceptions so your phone will ring loudly only when certain loved ones or other important people call) or just turn off your phone, log out from social media. You can also set pre-scheduled, low-productivity times of the day to check emails.

Family first

When at home, let family time just be that – family time. Choose not to bring your phone to bed. Home is for unwinding and relaxing and for spending time with the people you love. It is for cooking and enjoying meals together. It is not for remaining constantly connected to outsiders and updating them about what’s cooking. Your partner and your kids deserve the (hardly) 8 hours of your waking time that you spend at home. Involve them in planning meals and exercising.

Additionally, you can set aside some time during the weekends for catching up with the people who really matter in your life. List the people you can call at 2 a.m. and ask for help. These are your lifelines. These people not just make you feel good; they keep you emotionally healthy. These are your people. Take care of them. Let them count on you just as you count on them.

When I work with high performance professionals that are experiencing burnout, we discuss maintaining the 5 prong approach to wellness. This approach considers that you the individual exists within a macro-system that is maintained by the stability of 5 different micro-systems: self, family, professional, spiritual, wellness (i.e., health, mind, body). Causing an imbalance in any of these micros-systems can cause destabilization to the entire system that is you. Therefore, remember, the peace that comes from the balance you crave is reinforced by the power of You!

Coaching can be beneficial for individuals that would like to continue exploring how to improve their overall life balance. The coaching process allows for continual focus on helping individuals to identify specific actions that will deliver short-term as well as longer-term goals.

To learn more about coaching services provided by Dr. Sanchez please click here.