I was recently in a weekend workshop in my search for finding balance in my life and came out with nuggets of information that I thought would be of value and worth some contemplation. As adults we are often striving to multi-task and be more efficient with all that we have on our over-flowing plates.

Here are 3 things to think about as you are trying to create that balance for yourself:

1. By saying NO, you are saying YES to something else.

• How often do you catch yourself saying yes to every hopeful opportunity that comes your way and then berate yourself after the fact for not leaving enough time for yourself?
• Think of saying NO as your way of protecting your time for something else of better value to you.

2. It’s a Good Start.

• We are so task driven that we concentrate on our accomplishments in terms of completion.
• Our work is never complete; there is often the next task, the next goal.
• Stop in your tracks and think about what you actually have achieved along the way.
• The fact that you have started a task is worth noting. It is not always about completion.

3. Daily Celebrations and Appreciations

• Taking a few minutes at the end of your day to reflect on what you have accomplished will set your mind free from discouraging thoughts about what you still have to do.
• You will be amazed at how keeping a daily journal or log of your celebrations and your appreciations, will help to enforce a routine of rewarding yourself mentally.
• By keeping this task consistent in your day, you will find yourself in the habit of looking for the nuggets hidden at every turn in your day.

Be kind to yourself. In a world where your work is never done, take charge by stopping to celebrate what you have accomplished to date and the people and events who have brightened your day.