Including Life in Your Work Goals

It is the beginning of the year and most have made their New Year’s Resolutions. Generally, resolutions focus on action and accomplishment. However, I want to emphasize the importance of balance in work. I spend a lot of time in the office working to build Solavei into a market leading company. I work on planning, strategies, continually focus on execution and measuring our current performance. But I also ensure that I am making time for my family and for myself.

Although I may wish I could be 100% productive 100% of the time, the truth is, without time to center myself and time to disconnect, I cannot operate at my best. Time with my family is important. If it is an afternoon on the weekends, a date night with my wife or family dinners, it must be quality uninterrupted time. This means that I am not checking my email or answering text messages. This time is as much about me as it is about them. I want to know what is going on in their lives, what is important to them, where they need me and I want them to feel connected to me in the same way. It is this time that strengthens our relationship.

My time to reset and relax is while I run. I have time to sort out everything that has been going on throughout the week and what is coming up in the future weeks. This is also the time I am able to dedicate to problem solving. If there is something that I have not had a chance to evaluate, I dedicate thought to that during my exercise.   It’s amazing how much thinking time you have when you’re on a two-hour run. But, I am not always thinking about work-related topics. This is time for me to evaluate all elements of my life, including work, family and relationships.

This year, resolve to take more time for yourself and your family. Resolve to live a balanced life.  And be the best you can be in each area!

Tweet your resolutions to me at @rwuerch, I would love to hear what you are planning for in 2013!