I've always been a learner - learning all kinds of stuff and I completely enjoyed it. While learning and growing, and with a little ADHD personality (self-diagnosis), I often feel overwhelmed. Then I look back only to find things I set myself to do get un-accomplished by the time I sit down at 9pm.
When I felt un-accomplished for one day, then one week, it slowly rolls into months and now almost 2 years, it eventually didnt sit well with my psyche. Eventually, I looked up and call myself a "FAILURE" 2 years later.
It might sound like a joke to many who view the Million Point blogger as a "FAILURE" and year after year, I've broke the previous year stellar record. But it was in my mind a FAILURE when I dont accomplish the things I set my mind to do.
Through the years, I've been a learner of WORK, LIFE and BALANCE. I finally came around to admitting that one cannot have WORK, LIFE and BALANCE at all times.
7 years ago when I started my brokerage, 3:16 team REALTY, I was pursuing success in the business. I also became a first-time mom all at the same time. Need I say more? Naturally, everything was out of sync.
Off and on, I've been struggling with BALANCE because my mind lives in the FAIRYTALE world. It was until I read an article about how IT'S OKAY not to be BALANCE during certain seasons of life. (I had thought successful people had BALANCE all the time!!!!!!!) It was such a relief.
And I'm telling you - if you are NOT BALANCE, it's completely okay.
Here in Frisco TX, our very busy season begins in March through August, although we sell real estate 12-months of the year. So, during March through August, the family will have to understand that some dinners may be missed, some weekends might including staying home with no activities.
Then, at the end of August and September, I spend alot of time in my children's school to help them get situated in their new school/ new grade. From October through January/ February, I spend time reconnecting with past clients while ramping up marketing.
I had to work hard at telling myself that life doesn't always have to be in the "perfect" season and it's okay.
As the business grows, I've always implemented some strategies that I hope would take me well into the busy seasons:
(1) Buckets: God, Family and Work
My family and I love spending time at church. It's one of the few things that keep me sane and grounded. We faciliate 2 classes a year (for 18 weeks total), we attend Saturday nights (making coffee) and Sunday service (ushering guests) and volunteering at the Cafe on Wednesday nights. We spend about 8-10 hours a week at church.
Family - well, if it's not family, I wont do. Pretty simple. I have my extended family who lives next door (my parents, sister's family and younger siblings) so spending time with them at least once a week, over a meal is important. They also help me watch my children while I'm at work. My husband sells real eststate too.
Well, work is work.
If it's not any one of the 3 buckets, I don't do them anymore.
(2) Time blocking
Something I learned with my latest coaching at the CORE Training. I LOVE IT. I feel I got my mojo back since I've been on the program and definitely since I've implemented time blocking. And Tina, the person at the CORE is such a positive influence. I look forward to hearing from her every week.
(3) Charting progress/ success
At the CORE, they have what we call, GREATNESS TRACKER. It charts what I have done, it gives me a sense of where I need to make improvements on. For me, I use this to remind myself how far I've come.
Things may not still go exactly the way I planned after time blocking. But having this Tracker allows me to chart what I did instead of what I planned - so I cannot call myself a "FAILURE" anymore.
Work Balance - It's a constant struggle in a business person's life. Each of us has to find what works for us. As for me, my buckets, time blocking and greatness tracker have proven that it has brought some sanity back in my life.
PS: I signed up for the CORE TRAINING recently (about a month ago) and so far I've been very pleased with it. Pleased with the people I've come across. The CORE Training doesnt even know I'm writing and talking about them. Certainly has never asked me to write a testimonial. Just FYI.
If you are looking for some good training, this is definitely one of the great ones you can look into. Most people that I know have stellar results!
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