Balance and Letting Go By Sandi Epstein, Work/Life Coach In order to gain a sense of balance in your life it is important to learn the skill of letting go. Of what you may ask? Of the jobs, people, tolerations, and attitudes that get in the way of your life being full of the jobs, people and possibilities you want in your life. Many of us are holding on for dear life to the every day agendas we have that have our lives going at warp speed in directions we may not enjoy. And most of the time we don't even realize that things could be different. Do this exercise and it could change you life and your state of balance. Step 1: Identify the tolerations What do you tolerate every day that drains you of even the tiniest bit of energy? Make a list like this: the front door lock sticks, my car is really dirty, I dislike grocery shopping, I commute 1 ½ hours a day… Now solve it. Go through each item and do what it takes to change it. Remember to delegate as much as possible to contractors, online grocery shopping firms, odd-job people, high school kids looking for money and your kids. Step 2: Assess your job Is it time to move on, but you feel chained to the money/hours/boss? Think about this, why do you think you can't get something better? Letting go of an old job can mean literally letting go if you are really stuck. Can you afford to take time off of work to re-evaluate? By taking the job out of your life it will allow something new to come in. Step 3: Keep the supportive people only The people you surround yourself with should support and energize you, not drain you. If you have friends who are draining your energy then first, request they change the behavior that causes the drain or change the time or way you interact to rid your relationship of the draining behavior. Then if that doesn't work perhaps it is time to move on. Step 4: Change the attitude Simply put, the universe is plentiful. If your perspective is that there is no way to get a job that is both fulfilling and pays well and is part-time, then you aren't going to find it. If your perspective is whatever I give up or let go of is a loss to me rather than opportunity to gain - you won't discover a new way to live. For more ideas on how to figure out balance in your life see some of Sandi's previous articles: • You at Work and You at Home: Who Are You Anyway? • Ten steps for finding balance • Simplify your life to focus on what you care about • What does a working mom need? Support and a road to getting it • Find joy not stress in the balancing act • Ask the Work/Life Coach • More articles about work and family balance Sandi is a professional coach helping people to achieve their best in life. You can email her at SLSE123@aol.com or visit her Web site at WorkandLifeCoach.com for more information on coaching.