Keeping in line with the theme from our last post; there is no such thing as work/life balance. We want to share with you the P.R.I.O.R.I.T.I.E.S. wheel of fulfillment. We believe that you need to prioritize each of these facets and decide what areas you need to improve on in order to live a fulfilled life. So here is what the acronym stands for:

• P = Personal Development (which leads right into your business developing too)
• R = Recreation (FUN)
• I = Intimacy (Romance)
• O = Offerings (Contribution/Giving)
• R = Relationships (with family and friends)
• I = Investments (Finances)
• T = Time Management (it is important to take time for time management)
• I = Intense Health (we had to include health and this is where it fit; intense health is different things for different people, what is it for you?)
• E = Environment
• S = Spirituality

We suggest you rate yourself in each of these areas. 1 being worst and 10 being best. What steps do you need to take to get to a 10 in all of these categories.

Side note: This assessment is what we base our custom project management and increasing productive capacity planner on!

This may not be the thing that you want to hear when discussing work/life balance but it is a fact of life. The reason that we believe that there is not such thing as work-life balance is because it all comes down to a matter of priorities. In truth, life and work will never be equal. The journey to significance is what makes a successful life. We ask you to examine your purpose and from there set your priorities; with your priorities in hand you can then determine what deserves to be on your schedule.

Here are some tips to scheduling your priorities:

• Color code your week so you can see where your time is being spent and adjust accordingly
• Block out uninterrupted time for your priorities
• Schedule even the simple things like cooking dinner, doing laundry, date night, exercise, checking email, social media, etc.
• Use your planner like a journal to account for where you are spending your time

Please share your opinions on work/life balance in the comments section below.

What would you say is your biggest distraction? Likely your biggest distraction has something to do with technology. Emails popping up. Facebook messages causing you to change browser tabs. Cell phone vibrating constantly with alerts. With every distraction you are losing valuable time and productivity. How do you manage your environment?

If your desk looks anything like the one to the left then you are likely not even attempting to manage your environment at this point.

Here are some tips to help you get started managing your environment:

• Clear the clutter; develop an inbox, outbox, and "backburner" system.
• Turn off alerts on your phone unless you prompt them; set aside time to check emails and social media.**
• Turn off email alerts on your computer; the email will be there when you  get there.
• Make sure your work area is ergonomic.
• Consider floor plan, lighting, noise, air quality, and maintenance/tidiness when designing your office space.

**How to turn off automatic email updates on your iphone: http://email.about.com/od/iphonemailtips/qt/et_checking.htm

"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that are there. You have to pick carefully." -Steve Jobs

Priorities Activity: Write down a list of your priorities. Now pick the top 8. Next write down the top 8 things that occupy your time in a week. Then write down the top 8 things you envy in others. Finally, eliminate 2 items at a time until you are left with 10. And those are the priorities you should focus on.

Now that you know your priorities. How do we set boundaries? Some suggestions: time blocking, create a daily focus, and don't answer the phone just because it rings.

Boundaries in 7 Steps:

1. Listen to yourself: tune-in to your hobbies, interests, and values
2. Priorities: What do you value? What matters most to you in life?
3. Create Ally's (people, tools, etc.)
4. Say "no"
5. Say "yes" to the things you want to do
6. Pay attention to how you feel
7. Self-esteem and stay firm

Why we say yes...

• We don't want to hurt someone's feelings
• We are afraid of being rude
• We fear conflict
• You want to be agreeable
• Fear of lost opportunities (a lost opportunity wasn't your opportunity to begin with)
• We don't want to burn bridges

ALL of these are FALSE BELIEFS!

How to say no:

1. Understand your situation to avoid the guilt of saying no (know priorities)
2. Do NOT make detailed excuses
3. Fire customers
4. PRACTICE

"No" Scripts

"I can't commit to this as I have other priorities at the moment."

"Now is not a good time as I am in the middle of something. How about we reconnect at (x) time?"

"Let me think about it first and I'll get back to you."

"This doesn't meet my needs right now, but I'll be sure to keep you in mind."

"I'm not the best person to help on this. Why don't you try (x)?"