I don\u2019t like the term work-life balance. It implies there is some magical scorecard that you are constantly trying to keep balanced. It leads to many people feeling like they’re not doing \u201cenough\u201d. Here’s a spoiler alert: You will never have enough time\/attention to do everything everyone wants you to do. But you do have enough time\/attention to focus on what is most<\/strong> important – if you are mindful and purposeful in the daily decisions you make. Perhaps you’re single and working two jobs because you’re starting your own business on the side or maybe you’re working two jobs because you’re a single mom raising two kids. Despite similarities, these two examples show two lives with very different sets of priorities. Remember, we all have the same number of seconds, minutes, and hours in a day which is why it’s essential we prioritize and let go of everything else. That’s the reality! My advice to you: stop chasing this idea that having a work-life balance is the be all and end all. Instead, set a new goal! Learn how to more efficiently integrate your professional and personal priorities to allow for complete focus and attention on being more productive, strategic, and present in the things you do. Here are my three steps to being more effective in your daily life:<\/p>\n Identify your life priorities:<\/strong> If you don\u2019t have clear priorities you are more likely to say yes to everything, instead of saying yes only to the things that are in direct alignment with your priorities. The more clear you make your priorities, the more useful they will be as a guiding compass of how you should focus your attention.<\/p>\n Below: <\/strong>Struggling to put your life priorities to paper? Here’s my personal example that I use as a way to determine what I say \u201cyes\u201d to and what I say \u201cno\u201d to.<\/p>\n Value your attention:\u00a0<\/strong>Avoid trivial activities, e.g., watching mind-numbing TV, scrolling social media, participating in activities you don’t care for. You would be surprised how many precious minutes and hours most people waste on such actions. And guess what…I doubt such activities are on most people\u2019s list of top life priorities! By avoiding these mundane tasks, you can use the same time and apply it to developing one of your life priorities.<\/p>\n Be all-in with the activity at hand. Focus all your undivided attention to what you are doing in that moment. This leads to higher productivity and more enjoyment. In an article titled “Study: Multitasking is counterproductive” researchers discovered that “focus, possibly more than any other factor, is what separates average performers from peak performers” in their professional and personal lives. Did you know, according to the same study, that the “average worker is 20-40 percent less productive when multitasking than when concentrating on doing one thing at a time?” Be in control of how you direct your attention by 100 percent concentrating on tasks that are relevant to your purpose and vision.<\/p>\n Learn to say no: <\/strong>Many people struggle with saying no. Here is one way to reframe it in your mind. Many times, you must say no to something, to allow you to say yes to a higher priority. So really you’re still saying yes \u2014 it’s just saying yes to something that is more in direct alignment with your life priorities. For example, I have had to turn down many a team happy hour. Not because I don\u2019t want to hang out with my co-workers, but because my bigger ‘yes’ was eating dinner with my daughter. I have had to turn down serving on boards, speaking engagements, exclusive parties, you name it. But what saying ‘no’ allowed me \u2014 is the ability to say a higher ‘yes’ to my life priorities, which ultimately is what makes me feel fulfilled.<\/p>\n In between daily meetings, phone calls, emails, text messages, Facebook, Twitter and more, it’s almost impossible to focus on the task at hand. Technology and daily distractions can leave many of us feeling out of control and disorganized. Not to mention; with the average attention span of people declining, maintaining focus is fast becoming a top skill, especially considering how many external factors are vying for your attention. International speaker and trainer on productivity, attention, and effectiveness Maura Nevel Thomas explains that attention is fast becoming the most valuable commodity while focus is becoming the most valuable skill.<\/p>\n My daughter, Hattie, is my top priority. My career is also a priority. Sometimes, I have to integrate both these important aspects into my daily schedule.<\/p><\/div>\n The trick is to be as effective as possible in accomplishing your goals by being 100 percent present in the moment. You see, I have to juggle priorities just like everyone else. I\u2019m a daughter, mom, executive, \u00a0friend, and wife, which means I\u2019m pushed and pulled into different directions all day long. For this reason, it\u2019s essential I know my priorities. For example, when I’m with my daughter, my focus is on her. My phone is switched off. She is a top priority in my life, and because I’m a working mom, I value each moment I get to spend with her. She has my undivided attention. When I’m at work and in a meeting with my team \u2014 they have my undivided attention. I\u2019m focused on helping them achieve their goals.<\/p>\n Here are my three tips to help you do more of what matters most:<\/p>\n Well, that\u2019s enough about me, I want to hear from you! Join in on the conversation and comment below to tell us what tip resonates the most with you?<\/p>\n We will continue the conversation on a Facebook Live Event this coming Tuesday, 12 September, at 4:30 p.m. CST. Visit my Facebook page on the day at the right time and click on the LIVE event displayed at the top of the page or send this link\u00a0http:\/\/bit.ly\/2xDzRx9<\/a>\u00a0to prospects. If you’re sharing the event with a prospect, they must LIKE my page prior to watching us LIVE.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.neora.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/AOR-GRAPHIC-R-.jpg\")
If every day you focus your attention on what matters most, you can reduce stress, achieve goals, increase enjoyment, and overall live a more constructive and satisfying life.<\/p>\nDo More of What Matters Most<\/span><\/h3>\n
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