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How To Get The Work Life Balance
By Mark | May 6, 2008
“Dad, I said NOW”
I’ve not shared much information about me (Mark Wilson aka The Anti Hype) at this blog.
The reason for that is that I have far more interesting stuff to talk about. But…
Apart from trying to keep this blog running, build several online businesses and keep my full time offline business running I have a family that I like to see, not to mention friends, and golf, and keep fit, and music and, and, and…
I constantly find myself doing something but thinking about something else I should also be doing.
It can be a nightmare and is certainly not good for stress levels.
I was reading one of my favourite blogs this morning – Self Made Chick about Deep Dark Challenges, and Christine was talking about going quiet within ourselves to find what is holding us back and something made me read through the comments. In there, Christine recommends a new blog by her Time Management coach Dave Navarro and because I had nothing else to do (ha, ha, ha !!) – really I trust Christine’s recommendations – I took a look and found Dave had written a brilliant piece entitled Wake Up Damn It – You Won’t Get A Second Chance
He deals with the massive issue of Work / Life Balance and the struggles we all face in coming to terms with the excuses we can make for not doing something.
How many times I have heard one of my kids call “Dad…” and I hear myself saying “I’ll be with you in a moment, I’m just finishing…”
THAT IS REAL BAD
photo credit: Hamed Saber
Don’t miss your kids doing what they love
There’ll be a time when they don’t ask and I’ll have plenty of time to answer!
My own Dad wasn’t around when I was a kid but my Mum, on her own, NEVER, EVER made me feel like I was an interruption to her life. That didn’t stop me having dreams about my Dad being there and probably like all kids wanting to be like him.
NOW IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH LIFE AND WORK BALANCE go and read Dave’s post AND make sure you watch the video. I’ve heard that song a thousand times before BUT it never hit me like it did just now.
I’m feeling really bad about “not now, later, when I’ve…” AND for that I’m grateful.
Dave, if you do happen to read this – I truly thank you for that post.
Mark
Here is a selection of related posts I’ve found about the Work / Life Balance
Topics: General Guru Fodder, mindset, time management | 13 Comments »
May 6th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Thanks Mark for sharing this, not sure if I need 2 new blogs to check out.I have been reading a new earth and following Eckhart Tolle and Oprah, I think that has had a profound effect on many people about learning to be still, to be present and let the ego go.
There is change coming for the better.
Suzie Cheel’s last blog post..How You Can Help Me Get to Vancouver for June 4th
I know – finding the time to do what is required is one thing – missing out on some great writing is perhaps the price we pay for that – until the 48 hour day is invented!!! Mark
May 6th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Thanks Mark for sharing this, not sure if I need 2 new blogs to check out.I have been reading a new earth and following Eckhart Tolle and Oprah, I think that has had a profound effect on many people about learning to be still, to be present and let the ego go.
There is change coming for the better.
Suzie Cheel's last blog post..How You Can Help Me Get to Vancouver for June 4th
I know – finding the time to do what is required is one thing – missing out on some great writing is perhaps the price we pay for that – until the 48 hour day is invented!!! Mark
May 6th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Yes Mark, this reminds me of a situation where sometimes you just should drop everything and go and see what your child wants.
It goes like this -
Da-aad!!
Kevin – how many times do I have to tell you not to shout when you’re at the back door. Just come in to where I am and speak normally, don’t shout!
(footsteps) Hi Dad! I walked in dog poo!
Mark
Mark’s last blog post..Child Obesity Increases
Hi Mark, yes, I’ve experienced something like that – just make sure you’re not upstairs – that’s lot of carpet ruined! Mark
May 6th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Yes Mark, this reminds me of a situation where sometimes you just should drop everything and go and see what your child wants.
It goes like this -
Da-aad!!
Kevin – how many times do I have to tell you not to shout when you're at the back door. Just come in to where I am and speak normally, don't shout!
(footsteps) Hi Dad! I walked in dog poo!
Mark
Mark's last blog post..Child Obesity Increases
Hi Mark, yes, I've experienced something like that – just make sure you're not upstairs – that's lot of carpet ruined! Mark
May 6th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Hi Mark,
Even before I visited Dave’s site, I had a feeling that was the song you were talking about. It also had a huge impact on me years ago. Time is much too short, and kids grow up much too fast for regrets.
Great post.
Tray
P.S. Mark W., that was classic. I got a good laugh out of that one.
traygamb’s last blog post..?Why You Should Never Give Up A Dream (?Or Steal One)?
Thanks Tray. It’s amazing how the words of a song you’ve heard a thousand times can take on a whole new meaning in your life when you really “hear” them. Reminds me of something I was once told – “Don’t be a good listener – be a good hearer” – How very apt. Mark
May 6th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hi Mark,
Even before I visited Dave's site, I had a feeling that was the song you were talking about. It also had a huge impact on me years ago. Time is much too short, and kids grow up much too fast for regrets.
Great post.
Tray
P.S. Mark W., that was classic. I got a good laugh out of that one.
traygamb's last blog post..?Why You Should Never Give Up A Dream (?Or Steal One)?
Thanks Tray. It's amazing how the words of a song you've heard a thousand times can take on a whole new meaning in your life when you really “hear” them. Reminds me of something I was once told – “Don't be a good listener – be a good hearer” – How very apt. Mark
May 12th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
A big generalization but one I am confident about is that children take more notice of what their fathers say than they ever give their fathers credit for. And they take notice of no conversation and the implicit no conversation in “haven’t got time right now, son” – what if a well-paying client rang in the middle of something, would we say “haven’t got time now”? As you say, there’ll come a time when they don’t ask and Dads wonder what happened.
Des Walsh’s last blog post..links for 2008-05-11
That’s a great point Des – it leads to another thought – what is more important , money or our children? Now that is scary if you add that connotation. I think you are totally correct – my children amaze me at the things they remember me saying several years ago AND things I didn’t do like “do you remember the day you couldn’t play football because you were on the phone”
We have to be so careful AND bear in mind we are shaping the way they turn out as adults so we have no one else to blame but ourselves if we don’t like the results.
Thanks for you comment Des. Mark
May 12th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
A big generalization but one I am confident about is that children take more notice of what their fathers say than they ever give their fathers credit for. And they take notice of no conversation and the implicit no conversation in “haven't got time right now, son” – what if a well-paying client rang in the middle of something, would we say “haven't got time now”? As you say, there'll come a time when they don't ask and Dads wonder what happened.
Des Walsh's last blog post..links for 2008-05-11
That's a great point Des – it leads to another thought – what is more important , money or our children? Now that is scary if you add that connotation. I think you are totally correct – my children amaze me at the things they remember me saying several years ago AND things I didn't do like “do you remember the day you couldn't play football because you were on the phone”
We have to be so careful AND bear in mind we are shaping the way they turn out as adults so we have no one else to blame but ourselves if we don't like the results.
Thanks for you comment Des. Mark
May 17th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Hi Mark,
You make a great point here, we are always busy and with too many things in our minds… It is difficult to get the work life balance.
It is what someone called the “Gray Zone” you are doing something but you are thinking about another at the same time.
You can overcome this creating a work schedule and prioritizing the most important things you have to accomplish but it is not that easy it requires practice.
Thanks,
^PV Reymond
PV Reymond’s last blog post..How To Really Make Money Online Is Coming
Hi PV, thanks for your thoughts on this. I’ve not heard it termed “Gray Zone” before but it is a real challenge. I may have 3 or 4 projects on the go; the grass needs moving; the kids want to play; I want to play golf; I have “offline” clients who require my time and my wife wants help with something. Mmm, that sounds like any typical moment for me.
You’re right about about creating a schedule – that way at least you can work through a list and know you are doing the most important (rather than urgent) task at any time. As you say, take practice not to jump from one to another. Look forward to your future, valuable comments here. Mark
May 17th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Hi Mark,
You make a great point here, we are always busy and with too many things in our minds… It is difficult to get the work life balance.
It is what someone called the “Gray Zone” you are doing something but you are thinking about another at the same time.
You can overcome this creating a work schedule and prioritizing the most important things you have to accomplish but it is not that easy it requires practice.
Thanks,
^PV Reymond
PV Reymond's last blog post..How To Really Make Money Online Is Coming
Hi PV, thanks for your thoughts on this. I've not heard it termed “Gray Zone” before but it is a real challenge. I may have 3 or 4 projects on the go; the grass needs moving; the kids want to play; I want to play golf; I have “offline” clients who require my time and my wife wants help with something. Mmm, that sounds like any typical moment for me.
You're right about about creating a schedule – that way at least you can work through a list and know you are doing the most important (rather than urgent) task at any time. As you say, take practice not to jump from one to another. Look forward to your future, valuable comments here. Mark
May 18th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
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May 21st, 2008 at 1:02 am
@Mark –
Glad you liked the post. Wasn’t easy to write, as the song always hits me hard too.
Thanks for the kind words!
Dave Navarro’s last blog post..How To Kick That Habit’s Ass (When It’s Been Beating Yours)
Thanks for making the time to comment here Dave. Sometimes words just jump out and really hit home – yours certainly did with that post. Don’t ever accept less than you really should! Mark
May 20th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
@Mark –
Glad you liked the post. Wasn't easy to write, as the song always hits me hard too.
Thanks for the kind words!
Dave Navarro's last blog post..How To Kick That Habit's Ass (When It's Been Beating Yours)
Thanks for making the time to comment here Dave. Sometimes words just jump out and really hit home – yours certainly did with that post. Don't ever accept less than you really should! Mark