Thanksgiving: Time for a work life balance check in

This year, Thanksgiving feels like just another big to-do on my already too long list. As I prepare for the stampede of relatives that will soon arrive hungry, I'm trying to stay calm, take a step back and be grateful for having a wonderful family. Of course, I'm already mentally stressing about the craziness of the holidays that lies ahead. When will I get my shopping done? 

That makes it an ideal time of the year for a check in with ourselves.

Today, my guest blogger, Alexa Sherr Hartley, offers a few great suggestions for conducting that check in. Hartley is an attorney and executive coach who runs premierleadershipcoaching.com, which provides in-person and telecoaching services to individuals and groups. Below is her advice: 

Decide if you are happy. It is important to step back and take an inventory of your professional life.  Ask yourself: Do I have balance in my life?  What are my accomplishments, setbacks and goals? Look inward once a quarter. By taking stock at scheduled intervals, you provide yourself with perspective and give yourself the opportunity to see the big picture.

Reach out for help. If you are out of balance, do something. Many of us refuse help when offered and fail to ask for help when needed.  This is a big mistake – no one can do it all, alone, all of the time.  There is a supportive individual, and in some instances, teams of individuals, behind every woman who obtains her professional goals.  It is insignificant whether the person supporting you is a spouse, nanny, parent, or community resource, but you must have someone.  Delegating certain tasks makes you available for those responsibilities which you truly must perform yourself.  To ensure that you are not forced to decide between your career and your family, reach out to those around you. 

Get emotional support:  What do successful executives or business owners have in common? They have people around them who provide emotional support. It is integral to staying in the game at work. It can be a great comfort to reach out to those in the same boat. Often, we relate best with --and garner strength from-- those who are struggling with similar issues.  Rely on your colleagues and peers for advice; tap into them as a source of information.A formal or informal peer support group is a powerful resource.

Look for role models. Those who have successfully found a balance can be a great example of how you can find that balance too. If you can't find a role model in your work place, look for examples within your industry.

When was the last time you did an work life balance check in? Do you feel like this year family has taken a back seat to work? Are you planning to do anything about it?

Comments

[Alexandra Strahowski]

What a great article, I love the way Alexa writes. It is always so real and personal.

[dawn]

Fantastic and informative, not to mention thought provoking. Maybe if i start now, I wont be making this a new year resolution. Thanks Alexa.

[Paula Detwiller]

Good, timely advice. Thanks Alexa!

[Delia Weiss]

Excellent advice, I plan to forward to many others. Thanks Alexa.
-Delia Weiss

[hillary]

Great Article thanks Alexa! I especially like the part about emotional support.

[Fran]

Excellent article! Another essential reminder that we all need to learn to balance work and everyday life. Take the time and reflect on what is most important in our lives-after all family is number one.

[Chris Wilson]

Congratulations Alexa on the blog post, great article, and what a beautuful phot

[Richard F]

Great article!

Extremely thought provoking and I'm most interested in learning more of what you have to offer.

[Christine & Phil Biscoglio]

Sound advice, we are not alone.Reach out with kindness to others with
a heart felt message of support, friendship, compassion and Love, for
what we sow we shall reap.

[Amy]

I love the idea of checking in with my level of satisfaction and happiness once a quarter. It's so odd that we'll schedule twice yearly dental exams, yet not consider regular emotional check ups! Great advice. :)

[Dennis Farrar]

Outstanding article Alexa. Excellent advice. Our family is the most important thing that we have. After all, they are what we truly go to work for everyday! When we are all gone the only real legacy that we have left is our family. Congratulations on another successful article. Hope to see more!

[Joe Ankus]

Awesome article. Thanks so much for sharing the info...I found it very interesting.

[Helen]

Alexa: Thanks for sharing your secrets!

[Joe]

Nice article that really helps bring things into perspective, especially during the holidays when many of us get to spend extra time with those most important to us. Thanks Alexa

[Curt]

Very cool & Great insight. Keep making a difference for others. Thanks

[Lindsay S]

Great information! It's so easy to get out of balance and not take stalk of what truly makes us happy! Fantastic article!

[Victoria]

Awesome job Alexa, You are such a kind and talented writer who speaks from the heart. I look foward to more of your work! Thanks for sharing.

[Janet]

Family is often taken for granted. We are all too busy to say I love you the way we ought to, and as often as we should.Thanksgiving is a time that we share that love, slow down, be happy and emotionally support one another. Thanks Alexa for a well written reminder. I look forward to watching your writing talent expand to the far horizons!

[Laura Sweeney]

Great Advice! We sometimes get so wrapped up in our professional lives that we forget to ask ourselves if its even worth it.

[Ashley Henrichon]

Fabulous article. Thank you Alexa for continuing to share your levelheadedness and wisdom.