New Year's Resolutions: Practicing Balance Every Day

Happy New Year! A new year means new resolutions. For many of us, this might mean working out more, losing weight or saving money. Finding work-life balance may not be as common a resolution as losing weight, but it can have the same impact. What’s the real reason for finding balance? Feel better? Reduce stress? Be healthier? All of the above? But similar to many other resolutions, it can be easy to start – and too easy to stop.

The idea of initiating goals for the year on January 1 is absolutely reasonable – but only revisiting your life goals and priorities once a year is unreasonable. Instead, take time to revisit them on a regular – even daily – basis throughout the year, especially when there are major life events in the road ahead.  

For example, rather than setting a general goal of “finding balance” that may feel overwhelming, try asking “what is something small I can do each day to achieve balance in my life?” Whether it’s finding 30 minutes for yourself each day or leaving work at the office at the end of the day, these small, daily steps provide positive reinforcement as you work toward the ultimate goal. This maintains motivation because you’re achieving something every day.

By assessing and working toward your goals, including balancing work and life, on a regular or even daily basis, you can set attainable targets and be proud of all the things you’ve accomplished in the last year.