I’d like to begin by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year, and send out best wishes for 2016!

As we are already well into the New Year, I wonder how everyone’s New Year’s resolutions are going? I’m hoping that my goals for balance in my life may be realistic and attainable, as I look to the year ahead of me.

As I look over my Blog, and reflect on the whirlwind that was most of 2015, I feel happy and blessed to have had such a busy year, serving clients, and capturing their memories.

Through all of that, and being a busy mom too, I find myself yearning more and more for the work-life balance that always seems to have eluded me in the past.

Although I’m confidant I work efficiently, and complete work for my clients on time, I feel there is always room for improvement in one’s life. Because balance is not only about how hard you work. It’s about making time for all of the important things in one’s life.

My work, and home life has often been a cycle of feast or famine. I’ll go through periods of manic business to a sudden lull. Often I find, when the pressure is off, I’m not sure what to do next. Oh sure, I have lists of things, but then I want to procrastinate (I tell myself I’m taking a break), until the pendulum  swings the other way again, and I’m super busy-without having caught up things on my to-do list.

When I’m busy, exercise is the first thing to go. Which is so very sad and unhealthy for me, especially when my job often finds me sitting at a computer for hours.

But the thing that bothers me most, is the lack of quality time spent with family. And as I look at my children who are so quickly growing up right before my eyes, it’s so important to me to really focus on balance, so I can give them my best, and not rush our family through each day, merely following routine, seldom having true quality time.

So how do I plan to do all that? Well obviously it’s a work in progress, and I’m realizing-it will always be a work in progress. We are all allotted the same amount of time each day. No one gets any more or less than anyone else. Yet some people are absolutely amazing with how much they accomplish each day.

My work-life balance goals will include:

Getting up early.

Laughable, as I’m not typically an early riser. But with some discipline I hope to make this small yet important shift.

Exercise.

I just need to stop the excuses. When I do make it a priority, it’s not so hard to put on shoes and go for a walk. And when I’ve strapped on my cross country skis this winter, I’ve always been rejuvenated by it.

Work Smarter and be Focused. 

Turn off distractions, and be disciplined during the work day. Probably I’ll need to turn my Internet off for periods during the day;)

Working smarter has been a slow lesson for me. I always try to do everything myself, and have full control. But more and more I need to look for ways to automate tasks, and keep the business “chores” from taking over the creativity and production. This year I’ll be looking to make my Social Media more automated.

Break up tasks.

I’m the queen of making to-do lists, which then overwhelm me. I’m slowly learning to break down those big goals and to-do items and make them more manageable. And by setting a series of smaller goals from my larger ones, I hope to become more of a doer than a dreamer.

Spend time more wisely.

I’ve realized that each week I’ve been spending more hours than I care to admit on watching television or looking at Social Media. Yes, I like to stay in touch, and see what everyone is doing, but there is a fine line of time well spent, and time wasted away. I tell myself that T.V. is my relaxation in the evening, but in fact, I’d get more enjoyment from reading a book, having a bubble bath, or working on a personal project or craft. So why do we rush to put our children to bed, to watch a bunch of  T.V. or stare at a computer? I’m not really sure why I do. I’ll be spending much less time doing that this year, and making sure I do more of the things I truly love.

One Day at a Time.

With my never ending to-do lists, that often carry over to the next week, or the week after that, once I feel off-track, I often let feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated keep me from trying to get back on track. I need to break this cycle, and realize if I didn’t do it all one day, to pick it up again the next day. Be patient with myself and more disciplined at the same time.

Achieving balance, to me, is about being present, and being my best for all of the people and things that are important to me. Here’s to a year of quality time with my family, being healthier, living creatively, giving back to the community, and giving my clients my best.