WORK – LIFE - BALANCE

Over-committed Career Counselors:

Walking the Tightrope of Work Life BalanceMCDA Spring Conference

April 20, 2012

Presented by:Darren Kaltved, M.Ed.

Barb Laporte, M.A.MCDA.42012

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Agenda

• Define work / life balance

• Prioritize values

• Assess your current situation

• Strategies to reduce stress, regain

balance

• Action Plan – your gift to yourself

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Balance - a state of equilibrium

A harmonious or satisfying arrangement of parts

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What Is Work Life Balance?

• Work - your employment / occupation /

career• Life – encompasses all of what you

value Work Life Balance:

A harmonious or satisfying arrangement between your employment and all of what you value

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Why is Work Life Balance Important?

Benefits to Employee

• Better health• Improved

relationships• Greater peace

of mind• Enhanced

quality of life

Benefits to Organization

• Aid talent recruitment

• Better retention• Less abensteeism• Reduced training

costs• Employees more

energetic/productive

• Profits increase

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VALUES IDENTIFICATION Values are very important to career direction. Clarification of values begins with becoming more self-aware. What values are important to you? What are the strongly held principles you believe should guide your daily decisions and actions at home and at work? (Identify the 10 values most important to you and write them in the box below)

Accuracy Fairness Perseverance Achievement Family Personal Development Advancement Financial Security Physical Fitness & Health Adventure Flexibility Power Aesthetics Friendship Prestige Autonomy Generosity Recognition Belonging Happiness Religious Beliefs Challenge Independence Responsibility Competency Influence Security Competition Integrity Self-respect Conformity Learning Service Contribution Leisure Social Activities Control Location Stability Cooperation Love Tolerance Creativity Loyalty Tradition Efficiency Nature Variety

Top Five Values of Most Importance To Me

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Place a check by your top 5 values

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What Are the Things You Are Trying to Juggle?

Work

Aging Parents

SignificantRelationshi

p

Children

Friends

Community

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How Do You Currently Divide Your Time?

YOU  

 

 

 

 

ADD VALUESADD COMMITMENTS

ADD % OF TIME 

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The P.L.A.Y. ResponsePrioritize

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Given my present life circumstances and my values, it is most important that I spend my time….

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The P.L.A.Y. ResponsePrioritize

Live

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• What choices do I need to make that I

can live with?

• To what things will I say no?

• To what things will I say yes?

Ask yourself:

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The P.L.A.Y. ResponsePrioritize

LiveAccept

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Accept that...

1. It may not be perfect right now,(but this won’t last forever)

2. Stress comes from the way we perceive the world, not from the way the world really is.

3. Every reaction I have is a choice

4. Change requires commitment

5. Not everybody may agree with my choices

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The P.L.A.Y. ResponsePrioritize

LiveAccept

You

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Ideas for YOU to Regain Balance and Reduce Stress1. Breathe – slowly, deeply2. Five minutes intentional alone time in morning3. Choose to eat well4. Indulge in a guilty pleasure once a week5. Get some kind of regular physical exercise6. Find the humor in the situation7. Let go of perfectionism 8. Seek support / take advantage of resources9. Be 100% present in the moment10. Appreciate the mini-miracles

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One P.L.A.Y. response I will choose to regain my balance:

This week:

Within a month:

Within six months:

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The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise person.~ Euripides