* Today's article is a continuation of the article published on February 6th.
This article was written by: Dr. Johnson who specializes in higher education and distance learning, adult education, faculty development, online teaching, career management, and career development.
Sustain A Healthy, Balanced Life (Part 2)
Choice #3: Choose your work based upon a sense of meaning and fulfillment.
This is a lesson I've learned through time and I wish to share with anyone who would like to learn it now as well. I understand there are many who work to "pay the bills" and "make ends meet", yet there can still be fulfillment found in any job, regardless of the reason why you are working.
It's all about the attitude of why you chose the job, and the mindset you choose when you are working as you complete the role you've been assigned. I do not believe there is anyone who works a job and is better than or less than anyone else.
Choice #4: Choose to prioritize what matters in your life.
While traditional thinking about a work and life balance dictates a certain language about how much time is to be spent with your career and family, I believe this is a personal decision. You should always be able to choose what matters most to you.
There are always going to be circumstances in which you are going to have to weigh your options, and make choices based upon your needs, and this is understandable. Just be certain you understand your priorities well enough to make an informed decision.
Your needs may intersect with the needs of your spouse or significant other, along with your family, and if so, their healthy life balance may also depend upon decisions you make. This is why prioritization becomes an important step to take, and one to keep from a balanced mindset perspective.
Choice #5: Choose to make your health and well-being something that deserves your attention.
When I've written about a healthy life balance, the healthy aspect is very important to your well-being. Again, I believe this is something personal, with regards as to how health is maintained. I don't believe in dictating mandates as to what should or shouldn't be done, with regards to eating and exercise, as this is beyond the scope of my specialty; however, what I can tell you is that it can be a conscious choice you make to think about being healthy in some regards.
What I can share is the little choices you make now do add up in the long-term. For example, I decided to change how I eat and within the course of approximately one and a half years I lost almost 90 pounds. It wasn't due to exercise, because of other health issues, just a result of food choices made.
How you sustain a healthy balance is up to you, just make it a conscious choice and perhaps you'll avoid something more serious later in life, especially if you have made routine visits to your doctor part of your life balance plan.
Whatever you decide to do, keep it in mind and be proactive.
The choices you make have a direct impact on your healthy life balance. If you are making choices that create a healthy life balance, you are more likely to feel good about yourself, which should always be your goal.
There are always two choices as to the types of thoughts you can focus upon at any time, and they are positive or negative. If you are proactive in what you choose to think about, and how you address circumstances, then you can keep yourself focused on a healthy or positive frame of mind. Should you practice this long enough, you can create a healthy mindset habit.
While any day may not start out as hoped for or go according to plan, or you find yourself facing challenges not yet experienced, there's always one step you can always take: Change your mindset.
This isn't about making general affirmations, rather it's about making a mindset shift away from negativity, towards something more positively focused. You always have an ability to choose and think a better feeling thought, and turn your attention to something that is affirming in nature to your well-being.
While you may not be thinking about a balanced life now, the more proactive you become in maintaining your mindset, the less likely you'll find yourself having to be reactive later when triggering events occur. With the right choices made, a strong mindset can help lead to a healthy life balance.
Thank you, Dr. Johnson for sharing this excellent, 2-part article with our readers.
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