Category: Innovation

Boundaries, Commitment and Priorities

How do you balance work and home life?

Balance

Finding balance in an overwhelming schedule is challenging. However, I have found that being successful in the process comes down to these three things, boundaries, commitment and priorities. Out of these three things I utilize techniques, within the process, to stay balanced, effective and efficient with my time, energy and resources.

Boundaries are used in many ways to protect as well as provide a separation between what is allowed in our lives and what is not allowed in our lives. A well thought out boundary will keep wandering things from showing up in our plans. Boundaries also have a door, which is the flexible portion of our day. Through this door we can put out things that aren’t working and welcome in help to get things done more efficiently and often times, quicker. Boundaries protect from distractions and the unexpected things that pop up in life.

Which leads us to the next thing, to maintain balance, is commitment to the goal. Whatever isn’t part of the goal has to be considered a hindrance to end result and must wait until after the goal is met. Commitment to yourself, your family and your work will develop our next technique.

Prioritizing, is probably one of the hardest for me because I often think everything is a priority. As if I’m some kind of super human that can get everything done, never say no to volunteering and always being available for every human in my life. In order for me to prioritize I go through this thought process:

1. Does this take away from my needed downtime?

2. Does this sacrifice time with my family?

3. Does this give me energy or does it drain me of energy?

4. Does it maintain the balance I am fighting for or will it cause imbalance?

Allow me to put this in perspective. If I’ve scheduled some down and an alert pops up or someone asks me to run an errand or really any plethora of things the people we love asks us to do, it’s important to give myself that time. Otherwise, I become rundown, burnt out and sometimes even sick from not taking rest when I need it and when I schedule it.

When something or someone takes time away from my family specifically, mealtimes, bedtime, before school time or vacation time; I actually get offended. I already have to divide my work life from my family life, there is no make up time for supporting my husband at his office event, helping my kids through every stage of childhood, listening to them, going to their events, volunteering at their school and taking them to birthday parties. Truly consider how short 18 years is and you’ll learn to prioritize, real quick.

Never do anything that pulls more energy than it gives. That’s it. That’s the self-guided rule for prioritizing, and when to say yes or no.

That last one is tricky. Some things will cause imbalance but they’re one time, never to happen again, events. If they give you more energy than they take, then be flexible and enjoy it.

At the end of the day, it comes down to this, decide how your day is going to go. It’s your God-given day, treat it like a gift because tomorrow is not promised.

Don’t label me

What are your favorite brands and why?

I like uniquely designed things that enhance the positive attributes of my body shape, my personality and my style.

It’s not about whose label is on the inseam, it’s about how a piece of clothing, jewelry or cosmetic makes me feel when I wear said items.

So don’t try to brand me with someone else’s label. Just let me shine on in my own identity. (giggles a little) So I guess my favorite brand is me because I’m a one of a kind design.

Thank God We Can Choose

Do you vote in political elections?

Lady Liberty

In my opinion, many Americans have never known what’s it’s like to not have the privilege of voting. Many, also, do not educate themselves well enough to vote. I’m amazed at how many people get and rely on social media memes to collect information or be influenced by how they vote.

I vote. I educate myself by reading each candidate’s website and by looking at their track record, if they have one. I vote based on my convictions, as well as, the impact of that political person’s worldview.

Free and fair elections are what guarantees our freedom to pursue happiness and participate in what’s known around the globe as, “The American Dream”.

Yes, I vote. It would go against my and my country’s interests, to not vote.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t going away.

What is the last thing you learned?

We can coexist

I’m currently taking a class to be certified in AI (artificial intelligence). As a communication major, I’m learning that AI is not only not going away but it plays a very significant role in my career path.

The big misconception is that AI is created to take over human jobs. This could not be further from the truth. AI will relieve people from tedious, repetitive tasks that keep career people from the meat of their positions.

Think of it like this, you’re going to college to become a journalist but you have, what they call, your general education or core classes to complete before you get to your major-specific classes. AI works on your core classes while you work on your major-specific classes. Even more so, AI tests you on what you know on the core classes, then tutors you on the area that you’re weak in. That is a simple visual of how AI will not only improve production but coach/train people to be their best version of themselves in the workplace.

AI is only as smart as the programmer that feeds it its data. The human brain is so much more intrinsic than any AI tool will ever be. We need not be intimidated by it, rather be curious enough to find out how it can be of use to you.