Getting a Life Outside of Work

running on the beach
Photo courtesy of mikebaird

“If we keep everything in balance, we are in harmony with ourselves and are at peace.”

Fools Crow, LAKOTA

In order to have a well-balanced life, we need to have an outside life other than our work. This may be especially true if you work for yourself as it is not at all difficult to put all of your free time into your work. I was guilty of this when I first went into business for myself. Once, a friend of mine asked me, “How do you find the discipline to work at home?” It wasn’t finding the discipline to work that was the issue – it was finding the discipline to STOP WORKING that was a challenge.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself, to see if your work life and social/home life are out of balance:

Do you have the opportunity to contribute to your community on a regular basis?
How long has it been since you hung out with friends and enjoyed their company?
How long as it been since you spent meaningful time with your family?
Do you regularly spend time out in nature?
Do you feel guilty that you are not spending enough time with your family and/or friends?
Do you spend ample time on the hobbies that you enjoy?
Are there new things or hobbies you want to learn but never seem to be able to find the time?
Do you get enough sleep?
Do you regularly take time out for exercise?
Do you take regularly take time to nourish yourself spiritually (by meditating, praying, etc)?
Do you consciously try to maintain a healthy diet?
Are there emotional issues that you know that you should deal with?
Do you regularly create opportunities to express your creativity?
When was the last time you spent a weekend doing something other than work?
When was the last time you had fun?

In order that our lives do not become lackluster, mundane or meaningless, we need to spend time away from our work and on things that add joy and meaning to our lives. I have seen the following quote time and time again and it always causes me to pause for a moment and evaluate my own habits:

How many people say on their deathbed, “I wish I would have spent more time at the office?”