The glorification of busy is worn like a badge of honor in today’s society. Meanwhile, the state of being we call ‘busy’ is creating a lifestyle where we work ourselves to exhaustion and lose a sense of everything that really matters.
The glorification of busy is worn like a badge of honor in today’s society. Meanwhile, the state of being we call ‘busy’ is creating a lifestyle where we work ourselves to exhaustion and lose a sense of everything that really matters. If you dream of a balanced life, one that leaves room for your passions as well as your commitments, we’re here to tell you, that can be achieved.
Here’s how!
Claim Your Power Back
It’s easy to forget you are completely in control of the steering wheel that navigates your life. We encourage you to claim that power back! If you have too much on your plate, start culling tasks that suck the life out of your soul.
If your workload is making you anxious, this is reason enough to delegate tasks to others, have a conversation with your boss, or rework your day. That is your right. If you want a career change, go for it. Need to cancel weekend plans to maintain your sanity? Cancel away.
How?
It’s often more difficult than it needs to be because we guilt trip ourselves into thinking that our spare time is better spent doing rather than being. When you allow yourself more time for simply being, your energy levels and sense of joy increase, and as a result, you become more productive during your working hours.
Make a choice today to take one thing off your list that feels right to you. This is your decision, so own it! The more you listen to your needs, the more confident you become in taking charge of your life.
“Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.”
– Richard E. Byrd
Do More Of What Gets You Results
This may sound contradictory, but let me explain. Being busy doesn’t always equate to being productive. The motion of busy may make you feel accomplished, but you’re actually just occupied. Only a quarter of the time being “busy” is spent on completing tasks.
How?
Identify what it is that gets you results, and do more of that. Gain back the time wasted being unproductive and spend it doing something you love.
Identify What You Need More Of
When you’re busy, you forget to take time out for you, leaving you feeling unsatisfied. It’s time to do more of what makes you happy.
How?
Sit down with a pen and paper and start listing the things you need, however big or small, in your everyday life to make you feel happy, grounded and at ease. This list will hold your most essential passions and needs. Begin by including one or two things from the list into your working week, and adjust as your needs change. If you think you need a break, do it. Take a time off from work and put those leave credits to good use instead of piling them up for nothing.
Doing more for yourself is living a life with purpose, and the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of doing so are countless.
Set Boundaries
This is a fantastic and powerful technique. We’ve covered claiming your power back to design your life, but now it’s time to discuss setting boundaries. Establishing boundaries is essentially your way of communicating to others what are your limits and how serious you are in maintaining them.
How?
Decide what hours you need to claim back from your day to switch off. This is the time you will spend with family, relaxing, going out with friends or indulging in a warm bath. The time you rightfully deserve to take care of yourself.
Start by creating an out of office auto-reply for your work email, the same goes for messaging apps, and switching your phone off or switching to silent if that helps fight the temptation of checking notifications.
Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
Focus on the life you want to live, irrespective of how others live theirs. If you are surrounded by people who are also busy, your decision to change the structure of your life will be unpopular. Some may applaud you, others will discourage you, and listening to those who don’t know your truth might cause you to doubt your decisions.
How?
Trust yourself. You know better than anyone what is right and wrong for you. Everyone is different, and this is precisely why your answers lie within you. Take charge and execute changes that match your dream lifestyle.
“A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.”
– Vernon Howard
Create A Vision Board
You’re busy, and that can mean your vision is gets lost when your brain is running a million miles an hour. Take a load off your mind and bring your dreams to life through a vision board. It will work to help you remember your goals and inspire you on the days’ life gets tough!
How?
Keep it simple and begin by browsing Pinterest for inspiration on how others have designed their boards. Gather images, quotes, and any other significant pieces that will shape the vision of your desired life and have them printed in colour. Pin or paste onto a canvass of your choice and display somewhere private but easily accessed on a daily basis.
Remind yourself every day of the goals your working to achieve.
Adjust Your Mindset
Your subconscious mind dictates many of your beliefs, and because it isn’t particularly great at differentiating between real and fake, what you think really matters. The more you think you can’t, the more this becomes a belief and no longer a thought. So what do you want to start believing?
How?
Find an affirmation or create one yourself that encourages you to live your dream life. Spend a moment each day, even just for one minute, repeating your affirmations to yourself. It may seem trivial at first how something so simple can work but it will. Stick to it and watch how this mindfulness practice can change your life.
You are the most powerful tool in designing the lifestyle you want, free from busy tendencies distracting you from what really matters in life. Run with the power of knowing the significant role you play in changing your lifestyle and go get the life you’ve always dreamed of!
“You have the power within your reach to create what you desire.”
– Lailah Gifty Akita
Need inspiration to escape the busy life? Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on 1300 551 353 or contact us here to discuss tailor-making your perfect healthy retreat.
