• You miss breakfast and work through lunch because you are too busy to stop and eat.

• You never get around to anything on your personal “to do” list because you are giving so much time and effort to your job.

• Your family sends you a postcard with a photo of your home. The message says, “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

There are days when I put in eight hours at the computer, take a short dinner break, and then go right back at it for three or four more hours. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life outside of my writing career. Here are five life categories that everyone must attend to in order to keep life in balance:

Self Care – This category includes recreation, mental development, personal g

Not so for most people. Then, why is it that Americans spend so much time doing something they don’t enjoy? Obviously we have to pay the bills, but we don’t eat foods we hate, or wear perfume we can’t stand to smell. If we don’t wear clothes that are not a good fit or style for us then why do we stay in a job that doesn’t serve our highest good? This is not to suggest that you walk in tomorrow morning and abruptly quit the job you are in. It is to encourage you to take an inventory of what is working and what is not regarding the choices you are making about work.

Survey Says . . .

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 67% of American workers are unhappy in their present work situation. Our career is an extension of who we are and why we are here on this planet. It should be an enjoyable outlet that utilizes our skills and talents in a productive way. See http://directmag.com/ar/marketing_satisfaction_core_career/ for more job satisfaction statistics.

But why believe what outside surveys report? Let’s conduct our own poll.

1. On a scale of 1-5, with five being “very satisfied”, how would you rate your satisfaction with your current employment?

2. How important is it for you to be fulfilled by what you do to earn a living?

3. How many hours per week do you work?

4. Do you work from home after you leave the office? 5. Do you work weekends?

6. What would you do differently if you knew you wouldn’t fail and if having money didn’t matter one bit?

7. Do you feel that you are adequately compensated for the work you do?

8. Stress level? (1-5 scale with 5 being “nervous breakdown in progress”) I’m at _____.

9. Do you ever feel discriminated against because of your age, sex, race, beliefs, etc.?

10. If you could change one thing about your present job, what would it be?

11. And, just for the record: What is your current occupational field?

Why Do You Stay? This question is asked of battered women who stay in abusive relationships month after month, year after year, hoping that things will change and that her abuser will somehow magically become prince charming. Perhaps it is fear that keeps a person in bondage to a job they hate—the fear of not finding a better job with an adequate income and comparable benefits package. Or maybe you think you have too much invested where you are to give it up, or maybe you consider yourself too old to change jobs and too young to retire.

Change occurs when we take action. If you are truly dissatisfied with your job, then start making plans to transition into something more fulfilling. If you need more education to reach your goals, start taking courses. If your stress level is out the roof, then say “no” to your boss when he or she asks you to work overtime without pay. There is a higher calling and purpose in your life other than working yourself to death, and one of those purposes is to experience daily happiness. You are co-workers and co-creators with the Universe. Your work should help make the world a better place without destroying the workers in the process.

Some people may really enjoy their job but still spend too much time in the office. This happens to those who are self-employed as well as those in corporate situations. How do you tell if you’re one of them?

• You miss breakfast and work through lunch because you are too busy to stop and eat.

• You never get around to anything on your personal “to do” list because you are giving so much time and effort to your job.

• Your family sends you a postcard with a photo of your home. The message says, “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

There are days when I put in eight hours at the computer, take a short dinner break, and then go right back at it for three or four more hours. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life outside of my writing career. Here are five life categories that everyone must attend to in order to keep life in balance:

Self Care – This category includes recreation, mental development, personal gr

But why believe what outside surveys report? Let’s conduct our own poll.

1. On a scale of 1-5, with five being “very satisfied”, how would you rate your satisfaction with your current employment?

2. How important is it for you to be fulfilled by what you do to earn a living?

3. How many hours per week do you work?

4. Do you work from home after you leave the office? 5. Do you work weekends?

6. What would you do differently if you knew you wouldn’t fail and if having money didn’t matter one bit?

7. Do you feel that you are adequately compensated for the work you do?

8. Stress level? (1-5 scale with 5 being “nervous breakdown in progress”) I’m at _____.

9. Do you ever feel discriminated against because of your age, sex, race, beliefs, etc.?

10. If you could change one thing about your present job, what would it be?

11. And, just for the record: What is your current occupational field?

Why Do You Stay? This question is asked of battered women who stay in abusive relationships month after month, year after year, hoping that things will change and that her abuser will somehow magically become prince charming. Perhaps it is fear that keeps a person in bondage to a job they hate—the fear of not finding a better job with an adequate income and comparable benefits package. Or maybe you think you have too much invested where you are to give it up, or maybe you consider yourself too old to change jobs and too young to retire.

Change occurs when we take action. If you are truly dissatisfied with your job, then start making plans to transition into something more fulfilling. If you need more education to reach your goals, start taking courses. If your stress level is out the roof, then say “no” to your boss when he or she asks you to work overtime without pay. There is a higher calling and purpose in your life other than working yourself to death, and one of those purposes is to experience daily happiness. You are co-workers and co-creators with the Universe. Your work should help make the world a better place without destroying the workers in the process.

Some people may really enjoy their job but still spend too much time in the office. This happens to those who are self-employed as well as those in corporate situations. How do you tell if you’re one of them?

• You miss breakfast and work through lunch because you are too busy to stop and eat.

• You never get around to anything on your personal “to do” list because you are giving so much time and effort to your job.

• Your family sends you a postcard with a photo of your home. The message says, “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

There are days when I put in eight hours at the computer, take a short dinner break, and then go right back at it for three or four more hours. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life outside of my writing career. Here are five life categories that everyone must attend to in order to keep life in balance:

Self Care – This category includes recreation, mental development, personal g

8. Stress level? (1-5 scale with 5 being “nervous breakdown in progress”) I’m at _____.

9. Do you ever feel discriminated against because of your age, sex, race, beliefs, etc.?

10. If you could change one thing about your present job, what would it be?

11. And, just for the record: What is your current occupational field?

Why Do You Stay? This question is asked of battered women who stay in abusive relationships month after month, year after year, hoping that things will change and that her abuser will somehow magically become prince charming. Perhaps it is fear that keeps a person in bondage to a job they hate—the fear of not finding a better job with an adequate income and comparable benefits package. Or maybe you think you have too much invested where you are to give it up, or maybe you consider yourself too old to change jobs and too young to retire.

Change occurs when we take action. If you are truly dissatisfied with your job, then start making plans to transition into something more fulfilling. If you need more education to reach your goals, start taking courses. If your stress level is out the roof, then say “no” to your boss when he or she asks you to work overtime without pay. There is a higher calling and purpose in your life other than working yourself to death, and one of those purposes is to experience daily happiness. You are co-workers and co-creators with the Universe. Your work should help make the world a better place without destroying the workers in the process.

Some people may really enjoy their job but still spend too much time in the office. This happens to those who are self-employed as well as those in corporate situations. How do you tell if you’re one of them?

• You miss breakfast and work through lunch because you are too busy to stop and eat.

• You never get around to anything on your personal “to do” list because you are giving so much time and effort to your job.

• Your family sends you a postcard with a photo of your home. The message says, “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

There are days when I put in eight hours at the computer, take a short dinner break, and then go right back at it for three or four more hours. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life outside of my writing career. Here are five life categories that everyone must attend to in order to keep life in balance:

Self Care – This category includes recreation, mental development, personal g

Change occurs when we take action. If you are truly dissatisfied with your job, then start making plans to transition into something more fulfilling. If you need more education to reach your goals, start taking courses. If your stress level is out the roof, then say “no” to your boss when he or she asks you to work overtime without pay. There is a higher calling and purpose in your life other than working yourself to death, and one of those purposes is to experience daily happiness. You are co-workers and co-creators with the Universe. Your work should help make the world a better place without destroying the workers in the process.

Some people may really enjoy their job but still spend too much time in the office. This happens to those who are self-employed as well as those in corporate situations. How do you tell if you’re one of them?

• You miss breakfast and work through lunch because you are too busy to stop and eat.

• You never get around to anything on your personal “to do” list because you are giving so much time and effort to your job.

• Your family sends you a postcard with a photo of your home. The message says, “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

There are days when I put in eight hours at the computer, take a short dinner break, and then go right back at it for three or four more hours. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life outside of my writing career. Here are five life categories that everyone must attend to in order to keep life in balance:

Self Care – This category includes recreation, mental development, personal g

• You miss breakfast and work through lunch because you are too busy to stop and eat.

• You never get around to anything on your personal “to do” list because you are giving so much time and effort to your job.

• Your family sends you a postcard with a photo of your home. The message says, “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

There are days when I put in eight hours at the computer, take a short dinner break, and then go right back at it for three or four more hours. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life outside of my writing career. Here are five life categories that everyone must attend to in order to keep life in balance:

Self Care – This category includes recreation, mental development, personal growth, physical needs (relaxation, exercise, eating regimen) and spiritual practices like prayer or meditation. This is probably the most important category and the one we are most likely to ignore.

Family/Relationships – Time to play, talk, and keep in touch with friends and family.

Work and Career – We all know what that is.

Finances – Tending to your investments and retirement plan, or simply staying within the budget or keeping the checkbook balanced.

Community – Church, networking or volunteer work.

I saw a demonstration once that made quite an impression upon me. On a table was an assortment of stones varying in size. The largest stones were placed into a clear container and the question was question was asked, “Is the container full?” Some said yes, others no, and some thought it was a trick question. Medium-sized stones were placed in the container. They dropped in between the larger rocks and again the question was asked, “Is the container full?” Not as many people attempted to answer. Small pebbles were dropped into the container; then some sand, each time the question was asked, “Is the container full?” Finally the audience agreed that nothing else could possibly fit into the container. Then from underneath the table came a pitcher of water. Very carefully the water was poured into the container. It trickled between the large stones, the medium stones, and the pebbles then settled the sand in place to fill the gaps. The message was all about priorities—the big rocks must go in first if there is to be room for the little things. What takes priority in your life? Do you have room for the simple pleasures in life?

Here are some time-management tips from Carl E. Person’s new book, A Law Career is the Smart Way, www.lawmall.com/lawbook that can help you get to your “want to” list and still get the “have to” list completed. This is reprinted with permission of the copyright owner.

• Put down on your agenda the things that you have to do at some point.

• Prioritize each of those tasks and estimate how long it will take you to do each one if you wait until the last moment.

• Create another list of things that you WANT to do, but are not required to do, and start doing them, in the order of their priority, or importance to you.

• At least once per day determine your priorities and adjust your list. You will come to realize that some of the things which are now voluntary, become "required" later on, and you'll be able to get those done, in due course, by waiting until the last moment. This is an effective work cycle, which enables you to continually add new projects while taking care of the old, and will make you far more productive than most people you know.

• Every once in a while you'll have to stop doing your “want-to-do” list and take care of the occasional thing on your “have-to-do”, but doing it only at the last moment, in order to give you as much time as possible to work on other voluntary matters.

• It is very important to refer to your calendar at least once per day to make sure you don't miss court conferences and other appointments, or to see if it is time to start another project on your mandatory list.

• Manage your workload by focusing on what you’re doing at the moment. Set aside everything else while working on that one job.

Try Mr. Person’s advice and see if it works for you. Rememb