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7 Ways to Balance Work and Family

Work.  School.  Sports.  Dance Class.  During the week, you, your spouse and your children may spend very little time in the same room.  So, how do you keep those relationships healthy and strong?

Here are seven ways to balance work and family:

1. Calendar Your Kids.  Plan specific time to spend with your spouse and your kids just for fun!  Put it on your calendar to take a family bike ride, watch a video or play a board game.  You will discover these appointments are your best!
2. Equal Passion.  Do you have the same passion for your spouse and your family as you do for your job or other things that are important to you?  Make sure your priorities are in order.  Distribute your passion so that your spouse and family know that are the apple of your eye.
3. Core Values.  Determine who you are.  If you ground yourself in unshakeable beliefs, you may veer from the path, but you will always find your way back to where you belong.
4. Be Flexible.  Having your day planned does not mean you can control what happens.   If you are stuck in traffic, turn up the radio and sing out loud.  Or, if you are waiting in line at the store, take a few minutes to daydream about where you would like to go on your next vacation.  Learn to lighten up and enjoy the little unexpected delays along the way!
5. Get a Tune-up.  Just as your car requires maintenance to run efficiently, so does your life.  Track your time for a few days.  Discover where you are “bogged down” and remove the little habits or tasks that keep your life from running at it optimum capacity.
6. The Outlet.  Find a hobby, sport, or activity that allows you to take a healthy escape from the day to day.  When you are refreshed and rejuvenated, you are more productive and more pleasant to be around.  So give yourself a break!
7. Live a Purpose-Driven Life.  Determine your gifts and talents and then incorporate them into your life.  You were created by God for a purpose.  Don’t just spend your life going through the motions.

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