Want a Better Work/Life Balance? Treat Your Time like an Investment Portfolio
Hand by Castor & Pollux from The Noun Project
What are the hidden costs of your productivity? If your calendar is a reflection of your priorities, then what are the neglected areas of your life that are suffering because of an unbalanced approach to work/life?
J.D. Meier, author of Getting Results the Agile Way, proposes that you think of our lives as divided into a series of “Hot Spots” that include: mind, body, emotions, career, finances, relationships, and fun, among others. By using the metaphor of an investment portfolio, Meier helps you determine where to spend your time for optimal work/life balance.
When you think of your results as a portfolio, it helps you manage risk. You might be over-investing in some areas, while ignoring or under investing in others. For example, are you investing in your relationships? Are you investing in fun? Your portfolio will have its ups and downs, and Hot Spots allow you to identify areas that need the most attention. They can help you find key indicators for your personal performance. The portfolio metaphor helps you carve out time for what’s important.
Your capacity for creative work depends on a skilled balance of time, energy and focus. Optimize your work/life balance by investing in areas that support a sustainable work/life balance.
