An important question I get asked all the time from students around the world is this: how do you find the perfect work-life balance?
Is it possible to reach the highest levels of success while maintaining happy personal relationships, great health, and so on?
I’m here to tell you that yes, it’s possible — but it requires a heck of a lot of balance and effort!
Here’s a personal example:
I was at my home in Hawaii, and I’d scheduled five hours Monday through Thursday afternoons for writing.
Can you figure out how much writing I did after three months?
If your calculations added up to ZERO, you are correct! My life was definitely not balanced, and it felt pretty awful.
The plan had seemed like a good idea, but in reality, that kind of little-bit-every-day regularity isn’t how I write. Never has been. My mind had set me up for failure, which then made me feel bad about myself.
What does work for me? Spending a solid chunk of time someplace different, secluded, and distraction-free.
So I blocked off one whole month in Lake Tahoe, and BOOM. Unlike with my original plan, now I was excited to write. In the end, I followed through, everything flowed, and there was no beating myself up about anything.
To me, that’s balance. For you, it might look totally different, and that’s fine.
The good news is that I’ve found a few key strategies everyone can use to create a work-life balance that feels right.
Strategy #1: Know How You Work Best
A consistent person is good with a regular schedule like my original writing plan.
A burst person works best when they dedicate bigger chunks of time like I did with my month in Lake Tahoe.
It’s also possible to have a combination of these two styles. For example, I burst with writing, but I’m great at being consistent with my morning exercise.
You’ve got to know what works for you and stick to that as much as possible.
Do that, and you’ll be happier, more productive, and more efficient, which means you’ll have more time to spend on other priorities.
Speaking of…
Strategy #2: The Big Rocks Method
A “big rock” is a priority, such as family, romantic relationships, friendships, personal projects, health, etc. They’re not going anywhere, nor should they. They’re your MUSTS, and they’re non-negotiable.
But here’s a really important thing to keep in mind: just because your big rocks are all equally important doesn’t mean they require equal time.
What matters is that you devote QUALITY time to each.
Maybe you decide you’ll spend one hour each night with your kids. Maybe you have a weekly date night. Maybe you exercise 30 minutes at some point during the day. Maybe you dedicate time during the weekend for personal projects.
The goal is to make sure you’re attending to ALL your big rocks on a regular basis and being fully present when you do.
Knowing you’ve spent quality time on all your priorities, even if it’s not as much time as you’d ideally like, will help immensely with your sense of balance.
Strategy #3: Setting Boundaries And Maintaining Flexibility
Boundaries…
Having strong boundaries means being clear about when you’re available and when you’re not. This applies both to communicating with others and to holding yourself accountable.
During my month in Lake Tahoe, I turned down invitations, meetings, and phone calls. The only exception was time with family — worth it because they’re a big rock.
Defining and sticking to your boundaries helps you focus better on the task, experience, or interaction on hand, meaning the time you spend will be QUALITY time.
Flexibility…
This is real life, and stuff happens, so it’s important to be able to go with the flow.
If you’ve got young kids or elderly parents, you may have to work around their needs.
If you’re an employee, you may have to go with the schedule you’re given or work overtime to get a project done.
If you have a health issue, you may have to take full advantage of the time you do feel up for work, relationships, or personal stuff.
It’s totally possible to be flexible and still maintain balance. Just keep going back to those big rocks, and set those boundaries wherever you can.
In the end, balance is all about doing what you need to do when you need to do it AND also knowing how you work best, dedicating quality time to your priorities, and setting firm yet flexible boundaries.
This will all help you immensely with balancing your life effectively.
And the good news is that you can get started right now!
Tell me, are you a burst, consistent, or combo person? And what are your big rocks? I’m curious to hear from you, so please share in the comments below!
Creating more balance in your life can improve your relationships, your work, your health, and every other aspect of your life.
But sometimes creating designing and living this type of life requires shaking things up beyond the strategies I’ve discussed here.
That’s where my powerful (and complimentary) web class comes in called,
“The Ultimate Life Makeover.”
If you’re looking for a major life overhaul, this is the perfect class for you.
It’s filled with tons of valuable information, like why your life isn’t where you want it to be (and a reminder that it’s not just you!), how to create a crystal clear vision for your future, and a solid 7-step system to get you living your ideal life — happy, healthy, balanced, fulfilled, and rich!
Sound good to you?
Then register now for a class time that conveniently fits your schedule. I’m excited to have you join me!
Click here to register for FREE and select a date and time that works best for you!
Did you enjoy reading the article above? Will you use these 3 strategies to live a more balanced life? Please share in the comments section below!
For Your Freedom,
Making time for the “big rocks”.
Thanks Harv Eker for all!
I agree it’s amazing topic it’s help to everyone,
Una vida disciplinada y con prioridades, o saber seleccionar las prioridades es lo que se quiere. Pero si en lo económico andas arrastrando deudas de inversión, simplemente no duermes bien. Gracias.
My BIG ROCK at this moment is learning who I am. For, I’ve decided to drop all the “label ropes” that have tied me down for Y E A R S . I’m choosing to see, meet, become my authentic self.
Gilda, That’s definitely a good decision. Knowing who you are and what your purpose in life is, is the most improtant question. I recently heard a very good statement from a monk. it goes like this: “We live like we would never die and when we are dying we feel like we have never lived..” Isn’t that quote impressive or said in Harv’s and Jessie’s words “is it good or good 🙂
What helped me a lot, was reading (many) books, consult youtube videos and having hours of talk with a person I trust. As said, I believe that there is no other question with that importance than the one you are asking..Did you know that moste elderly people do not regret what they did but what they didn’t? Why is that? If they had asked the question you are asking there would propably be not reason for regrets.
All valuable information I discovered in books, videos and blogs or quotes that hit me, I have written down in a booklet (actually I am starting already the 6th booklet). The booklets became something like my personal bible.. I guess when I will be old and grey I can create my own library with my notes.
Though you possibly will not find an answer to your question very quickly, I wish you all the staying power until you got what you are looking for. It is worthwhile because it is about you.
Thank you for the insightful advice. You always put the right finger on the right pulse.
Cân bằng và phát triển 2 thứ đó luôn song hành cùng nhau và hỗ trợ cho nhau . Người giàu chọn cả 2
Absolutely ! Your advice and lessons are so valuable and real…I have learned so much through your courses and your articles such as the one above…Prioritising has been a big problem for me.. You have explained this very well and also that it is very possible to create balance and be happy with myself …Now I must arrange my ROCKS… Thank you Harv so much..You are a life changer…
This is my main concentration: balance. Thanks for sharing. I am also very creative in my balance. I come up with all kinds of new ideas to help me get my work done in a non-competitive way with my family time. I fill moments of usually wasted time with invisible hard work. When walking, break times, waiting in lines, riding in cars I do fantastic important work invisibly so I do not distract those around me. I am constantly coming up with new ways to get work done in all kinds of situations “invisibly”. I feel so good when I get all this work done and still have plenty of time for my huge family with 24 grandchildren and personal rejuvenation and personal growth. Thanks again for sharing. We appreciate your time and smart work. Warmly and Magically, William Young, Mandrini the Magician.
What do you mean by invisibly?
Yo soy mas de tipo consistente, sea grande o pequeño intento ajustarlo a mi rutina y voy tras ello
Thanks for your insights!
I especially liked hearing your writing strategies. I am stopping my blog for the time being to finish another ebook.
Best wishes
Jessica
Hi J & All
Me & my husband have decided to go out on both days of the weekend, to talk over each issue in general, with no work or things to do around us…. We will discuss where we want to live now / in the future, what we want to do for money, what we want to achieve etc etc… let’s hope it goes well
All the best to all……
Hi,i like the one for dedicating one month on writing. I do that most times until it’s done I tend to out every else aside. And when am energetic I take advantage of those moments. I am consistent with things that take at least 10 mins.eg stepping on grass for 10 mind,i even time myself as it’s a grounding tool.
Thankyou
He estado luchando conmigo mismo para poder organizar mi tiempo
Muchas gracias Harv
Im a burst. I like variety in my schedule and life. Its why Im not employable:)
Thanks all your words are so great. They bring power and inspiration.
gracias por ese ariculo me gusto
Yes, am in the situation where, whether to quit being employed and started something different. I don’t want to work anymore..I want freedom..still in the valley of decision making?? Please help me..
Very interesting !
I am burst person
I am a combo. My big rocks are my children. I have 2 teenagers & 2 toddlers. I am struggling to find balance between them & my online business. As much as I wanted to earn, that much of attention needs to be given to the kids.