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The Busy PT's Guide to Finding Balance

Investing in Your Priorities

Published September 9, 2008 2:21 PM by Janey Goude
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Some blogs I have planned days or weeks in advance.  Sometimes the topic presents itself at the last minute...those are usually the most impactful, at least for me.

I heard something today that hit me between the eyes:

A house is a structure.  A home is relationships.  We have our priorities backwards.  We'll spend $1000 to build a deck on our house, but we won't spend $100 to go to a counseling session to improve our home.

Relationships.  Both at home and at work, how much are you investing in the people in your life?  Are you spending your money on structures or on relationships?  Are you spending your time accomplishing tasks or connecting with people?  My nature is to be task oriented, so I gravitate to accomplishing rather than connecting.  I need to work on that.

Sometimes we go through seasons when structures or tasks necessarily take priority: building a home or orienting to a new job.  If we aren't careful, those seasons can become a lifestyle.  We get in a rut without even realizing it.  We get used to staying at work a few extra hours, then one day we realize we haven't been home for dinner in three months.

This blog is about balance.  Balance is about priorities.  Mine need some work.  How about yours?

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. --Robert Brault

posted by Janey Goude
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4 comments
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Jose,

Thanks for taking time to comment.  

You are a step ahead of the game in recognizing the need to prioritize and realizing your value to your family.  My husband and I were just talking this weekend about how quickly our oldest (12) is growing up...as of today she has officially outgrown her Nana.  Enjoy your little one...try not to blink!
JANEY GOUDE September 29, 2008 8:05 AM

First of all, this article grabbed my attention because

it effects me daily.  Working as a physical therapist in

multiple settings along with my own practice, managing

property, and family -one 3yr old and considering having

another, it's no surprise I wake up early with my mind

racing on things I need to do on my punch list.  

I know that I need to prioritize and I know especially that

I need to step back and see the big picture of all this.
Jose, Orthopedics - PT, Sanitas Rehab September 27, 2008 3:13 PM
Chicago IL

Priorities of the soul are always most important.  After all, you can't take all those other things with you!

Ruth
Ruth Varner September 11, 2008 1:30 PM
Lexington SC

My goal for each blog is to give something you can apply immediately.  I just realized I didn't do that this time.  Sorry.  So here is the application:

Keep a diary for one day, or one week, and write down how you spend your time and how much of your time you spend on each aspect of your life:

  watched TV for 2 hours

  played games with kids for 30 minutes

  worked for 8 hours

  met husband for lunch for 1 hour  

Be honest.  Noone will see it but you.  Now, put it away for one week.  Take it back out and look at it.  Does the amount of time you spent that day/week reflect what you think are your priorities?

How much time did you spend:

  at work?

  playing with your kids?

  talking with your spouse?

  watching TV?

  on the computer...working, playing games, email, web?

  exercising?

You get the picture!  Happy journaling!

Janey Goude September 10, 2008 1:34 PM
Lexington SC

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