With thanks: Solidarity World – By Mandy-Michelle Thackwray

Published: 11 July 2019

Article: https://gildes.solidariteit.co.za/en/healthy-habits-for-a-busy-life/

The other day a colleague mentioned to me that in the past, you had very busy periods at work, then things slowed down a bit, until the next big thing came along. However, this is no longer the case. There are no more periods at work where we are allowed “breathers”. We are all swamped with too much to do and too little time.

Many people complain that they do not have enough time to plan a family vacation, not even mentioning spending enough quality time with their families. Long term goals are clouded by just getting through the moment. Learning and instilling new habits can help you take control of your life and keep track in a much more efficient manner.

Keep it simple. Start off by identifying the top five things you need to do daily or weekly to keep your life on track. Do this by writing them down. To help you stay accountable to these habits, categorize them into four key areas:

1. Personal reflection
Take (and not make) time to “time out” and do some personal reflection. Use this time to meditate, keep a journal, or do any small activity that you enjoy. People who do this get the opportunity to refocus and end up being more joyful.

2. Professional reflection
You probably find that you get to the office, open up your emails and immediately get sucked into the spiral of all the tasks you need to do. Dedicate a small amount of time to yourself at a set time every day to do a mind dump (getting rid of all the noise in your head) and plan your tasks according to priority. The goal is to give an organised structure to your day.

3. Build and maintain relationships
Our day is usually a rushed exercise between getting kids ready for school, attending meetings, rushing conversations with colleagues, getting through dinner, our bath and bedtime routine, catching up with your spouse and finally collapsing in bed. Take ownership of your relationship with others, as connection, a sense of community and belonging is crucial for your well-being.

4. Physical and mental health
Make time for some exercise. If you don’t have time and money for the gym, take your kids for a walk. Eat healthy, read a book and listen to inspiring music. To be the best you, you need to take care of yourself.

Make a concerted effort to make enforce these habits. You deserve it!