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Hi Taylor
- My wife keeps telling me to find a better work/life balance, and
while I know she has a point, I've got no clue how to do it. I can't
afford to work less, and that's what throws off the balance. Any tricks
for fixing this broken system? - Shawn
Hi Shawn - Let's get this system back on track! I believe in working
hard, but never at the expense of your happiness. When you're putting
in 40+ hours a week, it's hard to find time for anything else - that's
why you have to get specific in the ways you make time and prioritize
your non-work life. |
1. Start
the day on your terms. This is one of the simplest ways to
relieve yourself from the stresses of work, and yet it's incredibly
difficult for a lot of people. If you currently roll out of bed
when your alarm goes off, stumble to the shower, shove a piece
of toast in your mouth and head to the office, that's a pretty
dreary morning. While you probably can't start your workday later,
you can get up earlier to make more time. Most people bristle
at this suggestion, but after a few mornings of getting up a little
earlier to go for a jog and read a book or catch up on an episode
of a TV show you like, you'll feel much, much better. Do something
you enjoy before heading to the office instead of letting the
rat race dictate your entire day.
2. Shake up your schedule. Part of what makes the daily grind
so tedious is being stuck in routine we don't love. If you can
break that cycle, you might be able to get more work done and
have more personal time. Think about taking an extra 15 minutes
at lunch to do something more than eat, and then make up that
time at the end of the day. Or plan to do some paperwork at 10
pm after your wife goes to bed; that way it won't interrupt personal
time and you also won't have to deal with it the next day.
3. Find a new outlet. Sometimes the biggest problem with
work is the pressure we put on ourselves. It's good to be motivated
and driven, but there's a line that can be crossed when you start
worrying and thinking about work all the time. If you start a
new hobby or workout routine that takes up a little brain space,
you might feel less overwhelmed. Meditate, do a jigsaw puzzle,
make paper airplanes, whatever. You don't need to put a ton of
time into it, just enough to take your mind of work every now
and then.
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The common
thread with these ideas is to change your schedule a little bit.
That's the simplest way to start. The concept of improving your
work/life balance is daunting when viewed as a singular undertaking.
If you break it down into little steps, it's much more manageable.
Good luck, Shawn!
© Taylor Kovar
February 6, 2019
More "Go Far With Kovar"
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Disclaimer:
Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not
an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific
securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve
risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to
first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional
before implementing any strategy discussed herein. To submit a question
to be answered in this column, please send it via email to Question@GoFarWithKovar.com,
or via USPS to Taylor Kovar, 415 S 1st St, Suite 300, Lufkin, TX 75901.
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