20 years ago the average family had 2 children, one parent who was the main income earner, and one home maker. Generally speaking, the father went to work and provided the income, and the mother stayed home to perform the unpaid work of raising the kids, doing the washing and making sure dinner was on the table and ready to eat by 6.00pm sharp. There was a definite equilibrium of balance.
Times sure have changed! Now days, it's almost a unheard of that one parent works while the other looks after the family. The average person working 9 to 5 seems like something from the Stone Age. Employers demand more, and employees happily oblige by increasing work loads and hours. Typically main income earner will leave before the kids wake up, and get home just in time to tuck the kids into bed. The secondary money earner has to fit managing the household and working part-time. Quite a challenge that most families face.
So how do you balance between Work Life and Family Life? There are two key factors that will help you create the balance that's right for your family.
1. Set Goals
If you don't have any goals, how will you know where you are going? Like a sail boat on the ocean you have to have a direct and a port to sail to. What are you aspiring to achieve? More than your career goals and aspirations, what about your personal life? Time with family, travel, vacations or maybe starting you own business. Write them down and then answer some simple questions.
a) What are your goals in relation to your career and family?
b) How would you ideally like to live your day, week, month, year?
2. Set a Timetable
Time Management is vital to succeeding in balancing your life. Once you have written down your goals, create a 24 hour timetable broken down into half hourly increments. Map out your day the way it is now. For example, 6.30 wake, shower and change; 7.00 breakfast; 7.30 out the door.
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Once you've accomplish this task try and identify pockets of time that can be used in areas that have been defined in your goal setting - like helping with your children's homework, spending time with your spouse, time out by yourself etc. This may seem tedious, but you would be surprised at how much time you will find to work on your goals, and start creating and living the balanced life you desire.
There is more to life than just working, and paying the bills. Know how you spend your time and you will gain the benefit of improved relationships with your loved ones and yourself.
