People often ask me how I juggle priorities and commitments, and how I achieve a work-life balance. What are my secrets to success?
I work hard during the week, volunteer on weekends, have two little ones under the age of six, have written two books and host numerous parties. I decided to sit down at my computer and think about how to answer the question so many people have been asking me. How do I balance it all?
Success can be defined as many things. For me, it means living a healthy, happy, well-balanced life. Here are my 16 secrets to success that have worked in achieving a work life balance.
Shelly’s 16 Secrets to Success
It’s not a secret really…it’s just what works for me!
1. If you’re going to be generous with your time and money, then BE generous.
My motto has always been, it’s all or nothing; Go Big or Go Home!
2. Do ‘at least’ one act of kindness everyday…
…and that includes being kind to yourself.
3. Verbally acknowledge your partner and the strong support systems around you.
4. Write everything down.
I am constantly writing, thinking, expressing. Eventually, these singular words on loose paper give life to a bigger purpose.
5. Visualize the home and lifestyle you want, and surround yourself with those items.
Since I was young, I collected art from all over the world, developed photos of interesting places I have seen on my travels and put them in large frames. I collected crystals and beautiful glassware with the hopes that one day I would live in a house worthy of such items. And like Jim Carrie who wrote himself a cheque for one million dollars with the hopes of cashing it in one day, I too visualized my reality…and it has come true.
6. Buy a ridiculously over-sized dining table and host many many many dinner parties.
I do not regret the price I paid for the table…it has welcomed many soulful conversations over the years
7. Be Silly.
With the hectic lives we lead, it is hard to find joy in the simple things sometimes. I am guilty of this. Then I look at my children, and see them giggle at the sound of their own voices, and I remember that it’s okay to be silly.
8. Surround yourself with positivity as much as humanly possible.
9. Take a Personal Day.
Every so often we need to recharge, to refuel. Our minds are working a mile a minute and we have to juggle parenthood and workinghood, so yes, sometimes our minds and bodies need a reset. I have started to take ‘guilt-free’ personal days and make the most of it. Do what is important for you to feel whole. For some that is sleeping, for others it is a Spa Day, for others, and for some, it is cleaning out 5 closets. I won’t giveaway which one of those is in reference to me.
10. Work hard in all aspects of your life.
Take pride in ALL the work you do – whether it’s a paid position or voluntary. Remember, your name is attached to the end product so make it count.
11. Lead by Example.
We have heard the saying time and time again ‘your kids are watching’. Well, the truth is everyone is watching so be the person you most respect!
12. If you can be strong in diet you can be strong in anything.
A wise woman taught me that ‘If you can be strong in diet you can be strong in anything’. It’s all about conditioning our minds.
13. Set Realistic Goals.
We all set goals for ourselves – some formally, and some not so formally. But we all have aspirations. It’s about setting realistic goals with attainable measures that will help us to achieve them.
14. Organization and Planning is the KEY TO SUCCESS.
Remember – execution is only as good as the planning.
15. Every so often do something nice, and let someone else take the credit for it.
16. Write Love Notes.
One of my most vivid memories of childhood was getting love notes from my mother. She travelled a lot for work and there was always an airport taxi ready to whisk her away, but she always remembered to write us inspirational sayings on sticky notes on the mirror.
Shelly Khushal is a former corporate events planner. Some of her projects included: Conducting Leadership Conferences, Hosting Celebrity Seminars, Orientation Conferences and assisting with Wedding Planning. Contact: Shelly@Khushal.ca
