The REAL reason for work-life imbalance (and 3 solutions)

The REAL reason for work-life imbalance (and 3 solutions)The REAL reason for work-life imbalance (and 3 solutions)Overwhelmed, scattered, totally worn out. Does that ever sound like you?Even though youre committed to work-life balance, sometimes equilibrium isnt as easy to find as youd like.Most advice suggests that you set boundaries, manage time better, and practice self-care. Yes, those are important. But if youre juggling a hundred balls, you need an overall strategy to calm things down - not just tactics that give you more to do.Consider the possibility that you can have work-life balance with a simpler (and even counterintuitive) approach.Where your balance (and imbalance) actually comes fromIts easy to look at your emails, phone calls, meetings, and to-dos and believe that they are the problem. Everything coming at you is just too muchBut whatever imbalance you see in your outer world is actually happening on a deeper level. In other words, if the outer events of your life fe el overwhelming, thats a sign that youre living out of balance on the inside. Fix that and the rest will follow.For a moment, step away from the urgent rush (nothing will explode, promise) and balance your hausintern world with this simple process.Heres how to find your inner balance - in 3 stepsWe each have three primary reasons for being hereLessons to learnExperiences to haveService to giveWhen you live true to your threefold purpose, you feel balanced and fulfilled. If you can consciously identify your personal reasons, youll know what to focus on and how to move forward to create the balanced life you want to live.1) Identify your lessons to learnAsk yourself a simple, direct question What lessons am I meant to learn in this life?What answers come to mind? Welcome all of them.This question might sound simple. But by asking it, you open yourself up for surprising answers to present themselves.Honestly, most people hesitate to ask this question. They believe that all life lesson s have to involve pain and hardship. That may have been true for you, but it doesnt have to stay that way moving forward.What if your lessons involve how to create more balance? What if your lessons involve an important conversation that improves your work life? Or even a career change? What if your lessons include starting a business or a non-profit?If you frame your life in terms of lessons to learn rather than problems to solve, you will find balance more naturally and easily.2) List your experiences to haveIn this case, experience means opportunities to become more aware, more conscious, and more awake to the world in which we live.For some, an important experience is traveling. For others, its spending time with certain people or building important relationships. Desired experiences could involve developing talents or reaching a personal goal.And yes, important experiences to have can absolutely be professional. What do you want to experience professionally so that you make a c ontribution through your work?Ask yourself Which experiences call to me?And then (this is the important part), respond to your answers.Many of the experiences we want to have feel new or vulnerable, so we avoid them. If you ignore them or prioritize your to-do list instead, your life will start to feel small and your work will feel out of balance.3) Get clear on your service to giveYou have unique gifts to offer this world.When work-life balance feels shaky, its easy to think, I dont have enough time or energy to give to anyone else. How could I possibly fit that in?How are you thinking of service? Donating money or volunteering might come to mind. Those activities are important, but consider that service isnt always that obvious. You can offer service right where you are, right where you work.For example, you may have an animated personality. Instead of trying to stifle it, greet people with enthusiasm and lighten their day. Or maybe your knack is plans and details. Use those gifts to help your teams big project stay on track. When you live true to yourself, youre able to serve others everywhere, without even trying.Ask yourself What service do I naturally offer?Opportunities to serve will show up on the paths where you work and live.Serve from your authentic self and youll feel energized. The journey will become less of a task list and more of an opportunity to be your best self.Ah. That feels better - now what?Remember The balance you experience in your work and life starts inside.Yes, set your boundaries and practice self-care. But first, before you take other work-life balance advice, point yourself in the right direction. Know why youre here. Your inner balance is a stabilizing force that no time-management strategy can ever compete with.Carol Tuttle is a teacher, speaker, energy healer, online influencer and pioneer in the field of personal development. Shes the best-selling author of 5 books Remembering Wholeness, Its Just My Nature, Discover Your Typ e of Beauty, The Child Whisperer and her newest, Mastering Affluence, releasing nationwide Fall 2018. For more information, please visit www.caroltuttle.com and connect with her on Facebook caroltuttle, Instagram caroltuttle,and Pinterest dressyourtruth.