Finding Balance At Work

I have come to terms with the fact that I live a fast-paced life. Since being diagnosed with my heart condition & finding out it is correlated to stress I have been trying to slow down. To be honest, I can't believe how hard it has been. Over the last three years, my position at work has morphed and I have been delegating certain tasks that I would normally take care of myself, to other employees. This was mainly to relieve some pressure off of me. The funny thing is, my job has become far more complex than I ever would have imagined & I've realized my responsibilities have increased significantly.

My normal mode is just to go with the flow. If the flow is fast, I go fast. Now, the new Erikka is trying to set the flow to what I need it to be, which is slowing everything down.

Now to find that balance...

Here are three things that have helped me:

1. Hour adjustment: I have adjusted my hours so that I am not in the office as much as I used to be. Limiting my time at work has helped me become more productive with the time I have in front of the screen. I can also work from home as needed. I work for a family business & realize this is an uncommon circumstance. Try to find what works for you.

2. Planner & board: I have always used a planner for school & work. There was a short time period where I misplaced it and I definitely suffered but it hangs out in my purse every day now. My last task at the end of the day is preparing for tomorrow. I create an outline of the next day and what exactly I want to get accomplished. I also have a dry erase board hung up in my office where I write important tasks & deadlines I cannot miss.

3. Office Update: This is the final step & definitely what my office is missing. Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for my office & it is great compared to most construction offices, but I need to add my personal touches so when I walk in every morning, I smile. So far, I've brought in plants, some dry erase boards & a clock! It has helped, but it needs a little more.

*If you are working from home, I encourage you to delegate a room or section of a room to your home office. This will help keep your work and home separated. & if you haven't yet, try doing a mini makeover for a budget of $100. It's been a long quarantine & you deserve it.

You can count on a before & after post in the future of my office.

This is what is on my to-do list:

• Paint

• Add art/frames to the walls

• Add seating- like two chairs or a small couch

• Update my desk & chair (I have been due for a new set since I moved to Ohio but I can't decide on a chair & desk. If you have any suggestions, please send them to me!)

• Add an area rug

• & of course, add more plants

What is something that you must have in your office? Let me know & don't forget to subscribe to my blog so you never miss another post! Also, make sure you tag @always_willow in your budget office makeover challenge. I've just decided, I'll do the challenge too! It's going to take me a while to check those off the list anyways.

Always,

Erikka