In an ideal world, we’d have equal helpings of work and life but somehow, it never seems to work out that way!
I always thought, that to be successful, you had to balance, I still do to an extent, but sometimes it just ISN’T going to be practical.
Why?
Because there are times when business is going to demand that you work endless hours and;
There are other times when we have a lot of stuff from our personal life (good or bad) demanding more of our time.
In those instances, there isn’t going to be a balance but . . .
It doesn’t mean that it has to be a choice between personal and business.
Why?
Because sometimes you can actually BLEND both!
Examples . . .
I like to be outside on a beautiful day but, I have coaching calls, conference calls, content to write for my onsite courses etc.
I live in a quiet neighborhood so I move the world headquarters of Castain Training Systems outside and BLEND both.
There are times when I need to step up my efforts (but I’m already swamped during the daytime) so I need to burn some midnight oil. Meanwhile, I haven’t seen my family all day?
Instead of disappearing on them, I’ll bring my laptop down to the living room and join them. Not ideal, but its a good compromise and good BLENDING of work/life.
When my kids were younger, sometimes they would help me stuff envelopes and I’d pay them a few bucks. It was a nice way to BLEND work and play.
My wife has traveled with me during my speaking engagements so we could enjoy some time together.
My Dad Was Really Awesome At This
I remember being like 8 years old, and my dad taking my brother and I to a local amusement park a few times each summer.
Dad was in sales and had a lot on his plate. And speaking of plates, he was the one bringing home the bacon for 8 people (6 kids and my parents).
At the same time, he wanted to spend time with us so he’d pack up all his “paperwork” (this was during the ancient times of no laptops/smartphones) We’d all have breakfast together at the amusement park and then my brother and I would go on the rides. We’d meet up for lunch and off we’d go while dad did his work.
Don’t get me wrong, we had legit family vacations where dad wasn’t working, but this was a way for Dad to BLEND the two without it becoming “one vs the other”.
And speaking of “family vacations” I got to go on more family vacations than any of my friends did. Why, because Dad brought us along on several of his road trips each summer. By day, Dad would kick some serious sales ass while we were splashing away in the pool. By later that day, he joined us for sightseeing and dinner. Then we had time in the car together going to the next stop on the “Castain Family World Tour ”
Des Castain was a master of BLENDING!
I always tell my coaching clients keep a beach chair in the car and make their calls from a quiet park on a nice day.
It’s a great way to BLEND work and play!
Last summer, I took 5 camping trips and closed more deals than I could EVER remember closing during the summer season.
How did I do it?
By BLENDING work and play!
Each day, I would get up, have a killer breakfast (breakfast tastes better when you’re camping) and then chill with a cigar by the campfire.
Then I’d make a few calls to pay the bills and go back to camping afterwards.
Right from my campsite, I closed a deal to train sales reps in India as well as two European companies. Tip of the hat to Skype for providing the technology!
Of course, I would have preferred no work, but by BLENDING work and play, I accomplished it ALL.
So while balancing is a good thing, sometimes it just ISN’T practical with your schedule.
That’s when BLENDING might be just what the Dr ordered!
So as you continue to refine your 2017 plan;
Make sure you plan a work/life balance or;
A work/life BLEND!
Take BETTER Control Of Your Sales In 2017!
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