***Managing Work in Life Essentials

By Dr. Gabriela Cora, MD, MBA, The Official Guide to Life Work Balance

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Millions around the globe are thinking, planning, and scheming how to stretch a 24-hour day into an endless and productive workday. Many feel like the professional juggler, wishing for extra pairs of hands or a clone. Corporate warriors and entrepreneurs strive to find new ways to thrive to achieve higher goals to meet increased competition with more limited resources. Although some succeed in integrating the complexities, others end up dreading the once wonderful opportunities. Burnt-out or constantly stressed-out, many are unable to take pleasure in their hard-earned position and financial stability. Instead of connecting with family and friends, they find their time at home is just a continuation of a “busy day at work.” Some of these successful executives and business owners increasingly struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle, pushing coffee to stay awake, alcohol to sleep at night and “rushing” to Yoga to “relax”….

Through the years, I have used the following strategies as I have assisted entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, patients, and family in managing work in life:

Strategy #1: Assess your current work in life situation
Are you working more hours to do more with less? Are you exhausted at the end of the day? Are you enjoying your accumulated wealth or is it piling up and you just don’t have time to play? Are you taking good care of yourself and ensuring quality time with family and friends?

Strategy #2: Manage your stress
Identify your pressure points and manage your response to stress. The higher you go within your company the more challenges you will encounter. The better you control what you can control and maximize your ability to stay healthy, the better you will react to work and life challenges.

Strategy #3: Establish your priorities and set your boundaries.
As a busy executive or entrepreneur you don’t “have” time but “create” time. Technology offers exponentially beneficial ways to be more effective and efficient. Technology also brings challenges. Use technology in your benefit: it is not the handheld’s “fault” that you can be immediately reached anytime, anyplace; you should be sleeping instead of answering messages at 2 AM.

Strategy #4: Build solid relationships.
You built your company with a brilliant idea and outstanding networking. You led your team to success by creating excellent business relationships. Your interaction with family and friends will replenish your personal joy and stamina. Protect these relationships as invaluable and irreplaceable assets.

Strategy #5: Focus on your here and now.
Fix what is not working for you in each and every area of your life. Implement healthy lifestyle strategies today. Maximize your sleep, nutrition, exercise and relaxation needs. Avoid drinking more than two cups of coffee or alcoholic beverages a day. Watch caffeine in your soft drinks. Clean up and organize your house and office. Organize your finances. Prioritize your activities.

Strategy #6: Create a master plan of action for the future.
If you have a plan, fine-tune it and follow it. If you don’t have one, create it. You know how important it is to have a plan for your business. To “do it all”, you need an equally valuable aligned, integrated personal and business masterplan.

Strategy #7: Revisit your plan on a regular basis.
Plans are a guide and are not carved on stone. What works for you today may not work for you next year. Change offers amazing opportunities to grow and you must be ready for the challenge.