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New Years Resolutions That Work Work-Life Balance: A Family Affair
The holidays are over and the gifts have been unwrapped and put away. The
children have returned to school and new business and career opportunities are
on the horizon. But just as the New Year has arrived, so has the time-honored
tradition of creating your 2006 New Year’s resolutions. Since resolutions are
designed to improve lifestyles and provide increased balance, the end or
beginning of the year is a practical time to reflect on the past years’ business
and family successes and challenges.
The majority of individuals want to
live healthier longer and more fulfilling lives, so health and exercise goals
will probably top the lists of many of this year’s commitments. As a
micro-business owner, today’s lifestyle obligations and limitations keep you
pressed for time and do not allow much room for family - much less yourself. But
don't use life's constraints as excuses for not maintaining a healthy, happy
work-life balance.
Healthy lifestyles are a family affair, playing an
important role in determining the path to good health for your business and
family. Instilling the importance of healthy eating habits, nutrition and
regular physical activity are essential in teaching healthy work and life habits
that last a lifetime. It would be unrealistic to make drastic overhauls in your
lifestyle and not expect resolve to wane as the year passes.
According
to a survey by eDiets.com, about 30 percent of individuals making resolutions at
the beginning of the year are unable to keep them more than a month. Also, only
about 1 in 5 people adhere to their commitments for six months or more. The odds
for failing combined with consistent years of unhealthy eating and inadequate
exercise can be overwhelmingly discouraging.
But don’t let these
challenges deter you for it is never too late to start. Even small changes in
your lifestyle can reap big results. Your family and business can still grow up
healthy and strong by incorporating just a few changes to help balance work and
family life.
What does it take to maintain work-life balance?
The
big step to a healthier, fitter lifestyle is just a few small steps away. But a
healthy life style doesn’t just happen spontaneously. It is not found in a
resolution, but in evolution. So do not set yourself up to fail through wrong
thinking. Instead, set yourself up for success by starting the process off right
through planning and maintenance.
Twelve Steps To A Healthy
Lifestyle
1. Admit
Acknowledge your needs. It is essential
that each family member recognize that the business and the family’s lifestyle
need balancing. Without acknowledgement, there can be no change. It truly does
take a village to raise a family.
2. Commit
Support good
health at home and in the workplace. Taking small steps is better than taking no
steps. Since existing patterns of behavior weren’t created in a day, focus on
making small changes.
3. Submit
Keep a positive healthy
attitude. The motivation to succeed has to come from within. By submitting mind,
body, spirit, and resources, it will be easier to make healthier and long
lasting resolutions.
4. Omit
Remove the stumbling blocks. Get
organized and remove any unhealthy thoughts or potential impediments that may
undermine starting the journey to a balanced healthy lifestyle.
5.
Own it
Take ownership. Everyone must take responsibility for staying on
course. Find ways for each member to take part in staying on path. Support each
other and celebrate your successes.
6. Get Fit
Target total
wellness. Make sure to focus on overall health and well-being, not a portion.
The by products of a healthy balanced lifestyle is complete wellness. Studies
have shown that people who exercise along with a nutritious diet not only lose
weight but feel better, are not sick as often, can withstand stress more
effectively and are generally in better mental and physical health than those
who do not.
7. Fix It
Fix what is fixable, manage what is not.
Focusing on the unchangeable won’t change it. Concentrate on the unhealthy
habits first, and then manage the things you cannot change. Set and prioritize
realistic targets because fuzzy goals are as bad as having no goals at all.
8. Rest It
Get your zzzzzzzzz's. A good night's sleep and
plenty of rest is essential to a healthy lifestyle. So make sure adequate rest
is a part of the plan, inside or outside of your respite.
9.
Remit
Forgive momentary lapses. Don't beat yourself up and allow room to
stumble. The damage is not in falling down, but in not getting up and trying
again
10. Respite
Take a break. Everybody needs a little time
away and the good habits you've instilled won't go away overnight. So, relax and
take a vacation from the job or family routine…just don't forget to come back.
11. Revisit
Change is good. Take time to assess the plan and
ensure everything is on track. If goals have changed or evolved, then amend the
plan where necessary and don’t be afraid to change your regimen.
12.
Don’t Quit
It takes true grit to stick to change a lifestyle. Change
isn't easy - give the plan time to take affect. Just don’t quit. Focus on your
goals and keep the finish line in sight.
Change isn’t always easy, but it
is possible and it is worth it. The results from living a healthy balanced life
will be many healthier, happier years together at home and at work.