Are You a Robot? 3 Tips to Prioritize Your Work-Life

I have a confession to make.

I love to work hard. I love to make things the best they can be. I love to chase after dreams and goals and help others do it, too. I never have a shortage of ideas and I can’t wait to try ALL of them. And I love to say yes, even when I should say no or wait.

These are not the traits of a Time Management Super Hero. And such habits, if left unchecked, won’t lead to Keeping My Head Above Water. In fact, it leads to robot-like thinking, feeling and doing. Beep!

For the past two weeks, I allowed myself to become a working machine. Driven and laser-focused on my goals, I was willing to sacrifice the important things to get it all done. I neglected my health, my mind and my relationships. And I sat in my office chair so long without breaks that my robot hinges got stuck. It's a good thing I know a great human mechanic.

I need a can of WD-40, and I’m ready to be human again. If you’ve become a robot, too, these three tips will help us set our priorities back to human-mode:

1. Take care of your body. Eat right, exercise, sleep, take vitamins and drink lots of water.
2. Take care of your mind and soul. Pray or meditate or journal. Read books that feed your brain good things.
3. Take care of your relationships. Without family, friends and coworkers - or business allies - there is no feeling or meaning to life.

I know what you’re thinking. All of this takes time. Yep, it sure does. But if we neglect these three, we become robots and then no amount of success matters.

Need some additional inspiration? These movies have a similar message:

For Love of the Game, starring Kevin Costner
The Incredibles, a Disney-Pixar Animation
Up, a Disney-Pixar Animation
Rocky, starring Sylvester Stallone
Walk the Line, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon

What other movies or tips do you recommend? Post them in the comments and save the human race! Beep!

-Jocelyn Wallace

Comments

[Kevin Pokorny]

You're 3 tips are right on. It's amazing how much life is richer and more meaningful when we do. It takes changing habits to get there. Thanks for your insight.

[Jocelyn Wallace]

Thanks, Kevin! I think it's interesting that we all know what we should do, but sometimes don't. When you have a habit to change, what ideas or tips do you like to try? How do you get motivated to change them?

Readers -- I checked out Kevin's site and you should too! Kevin is a consultant and speaker promoting productive working environments. Learn more at http://www.kpokorny.com/

-- Jocelyn

[Teresa Engstrom]

I recommend Benji.

[Amanda Lyons]

Love 'human-mode". Great syntax! Go Jocelyn!

[Allison Crow]

Hooray! Perfect timing Jocelyn. I have been on a robotic work-a-holic streak and these tips were timely.

[Lance Farrell]

I agree...especially with the exercise suggestion. We were made to move. We all need to get up and do something that invigorates us. It’s important for us to keep balance in our lives. Eating, sleeping, and drinking (water) are all essential to life…and exercise is essential to living a fuller life. You’ll have more energy, think more clearly, feel better, move easier, and laugh more… It’s amazing how people don’t know what they’re missing in life. Now drop and give me 20. ☺

[Jocelyn Wallace]

Mr. Farrell, awesome comments! I am SO going to drop and give you 20! One arm behind my back! Well, maybe not 20...we all have to start somewhere. But I know I'm missing something, especially the think clearly part!

[Jocelyn Wallace]

Teresa -- excellent movie recommendation! Funny coincidence, my kids just received that one in the mail today from their amazing grandparents!

[Jocelyn Wallace]

Alison & Amanda -- from my visual thinker tribe! High five! Thank you for taking a minute to chime in...visiting us from all over the US!

Readers -- take a look at the great things these two top-notch visual thinkers are doing:
Alison: http://crowhillconversations.com/
Amanda: http://www.visualsforchange.com/blog/